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LITTLE COMRADE 



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‘ ‘ Kameradchen 






^TTLE Co mrade 

The Story of a Cat 

AND 

Other Animal Stories 


By 

GABRIELLE E. JACKSON 

A uthor of 
“big jack,“ 

“ THE COLBURN PRIZE,” 

“LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE,” ETC. 



NEW YORK 

J. F. TAYLOR & COMPANY 
MCMIIl 


/ 


COPYRIGHT, 1903, BY 
J. F. TAYLOR AND 
COMPANY, NEW YORK 


Published September^ SQOj 





THE LIBRARY OF 
CONGRESS. 

Two Copies Received 

SEP 17 1903 

Q Copyiight Entry 

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CLASS XXc. No 

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0^4 


Acknowledgment 
is due to the Editors of The 
American Boy, Our Animal Friends, New York 
Herald, American Press Association, &c., 
for permission to reproduce 
these stories 

Gahrielle E. Jackson 



CONTENTS 


Page 

Little Comrade, 11 

Ted and His “Sergeant,” . . • .95 

A Little Derelict, 141 

Madge Harding’s “Curmudge,” . . .161 


LITTLE COMRADE 


A 




LITTLE COMRADE 

CHAPTER I 

THE CAT 

‘‘O AY, Bess, will you do it? If will be 
^ just dandy! Why, there isn’t a girl 
in Totem Harbor who can ride as you do.” 

Maybe there isn’t, but if she can’t ride 
any better than I can ride on that miserable 
old thing, I’m sorry for her, and that’s all I 
can say,” and Bess Cliffton gave a disgusted 
poke with her foot toward a bicycle which 
lay upon the ground at her feet. 

Oh, but can’t we fix it up? Do some- 
thing to it that will make it hump itself just 
for that one day if it never humps again? 
I say, it’s just going to be a shame if you’ve 
got to get left,” and the boy fiung himself 
11 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


down upon the grass beside the girl, and 
thumped the sod viciously to give vent to 
his feelings. 

“ Fix it up? If you could fix me down 
perhaps that would come nearer to setting 
matters straight. It isn^t the bicycle that^s 
all wrong, it^s mostly me. Mother says she 
will have to put a brick on my head to keep 
me from stretching out any longer in order 
to keep me decently clothed; for she and I 
no sooner get a gown finished than the one 
we made just before it has to be let down 
about a mile. Look at that! I spent the 
whole blessed morning yesterday letting 
down that hem, and Vl\ wager five cents 
next week it will have to be let down again. 
No wonder my bicycle can^t keep up with 
me. But I oughtn’t to say one word against 
it, for I have had it five whole years, and if 
that wheel hasn’t done stunts no wheel ever 
did. But, oh! I do wish I could afford a 
new one.” Bess tossed back her hair impa- 
12 


STOEIES OF ANIMALS 


tiently, and then dropped her brown hands 
in her lap. 

^‘Why don^t yon ask your mother for 
one? If she knew that you wanted one so 
badly for this contest I bet anything she^d 
get you one.’’ 

Yes, and go without something she 
wants, or needs, dreadfully herself! Not if 
I know it! That’s just the point; I don’t 
want her to even suspect how much I want 
it. You see, Bert Steward, that is the dif- 
ference ‘ ’twixt Tweedle-dum and Tweedle- 
dee.’ If you want anything all you have 
to do is to ask for it, and your father can 
give it to you and not mind the expense. 
When I get anything new that little mother 
of mine has to just hustle for it, and I’m 
not going to let her hustle for luxuries, not 
if I know it, and when it’s necessities I’ll 
help do the hustling. But hustling or no 
hustling, we do have good times together, 
and she’s the best little mother in the land.’^ 
13 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


A very tender light came into brownie 
Bess’s eyes as she looked off over the beauti- 
ful waters of Totem Harbor. 

The boy beside her glanced up quickly, 
then, reaching over, began to pull up hand- 
fuls of the clover which grew all about 
them and to mutter, boy-fashion : You 

bet she is.” Slang, to be sure, but ten times 
more eloquent than if he had said in the 
most correct English : I quite agree with 
you.” 

Bess Cliffton and Bert Steward were 
chums in every sense of the word. For sev- 
eral years their parents had spent every 
summer at Totem Harbor, occupying two 
of the many pretty cottages which dotted 
the shore for several miles, although the 
Stewards’ cottage was a far more preten- 
tious one than that occupied by the Cliff- 
tons. A warm friendship had sprung up 
between the two families, and almost in 
their baby days the boy and girl had sought 
14 


STOKIES OF ANIMALS 


each other, and the companionship so begun 
had ripened into a stanch friendship which 
apparently grew stronger as the children 
grew older, until at the ages of thirteen and 
fourteen they were as jolly a pair of chums 
as one could wish to see, sharing each 
other^s pleasures, reading each other’s 
books, laying plans together, and teasing 
each other as only a boy and girl can. 

Unlike as possible in personal appearance 
as well as in disposition, they passed their 
days in the utmost harmony, for neither 
was given to carrying the tormenting to ex- 
cess, and each had a pretty level head in 
spite of being an only son and an only 
daughter, whom pessimists asserted must of 
necessity be spoiled. But the spoiling 
process had certainly not begun yet, for a 
bonnier, happier, more courteous lad and 
lassie it would have been difficult to find, 
in spite of their fun and pranks. 

Bess was tall for her age, with delicate 
15 


STOEIES OP ANIMALS 


features, and a perfect gypsy coloring, which 
the threemonths spent at the shore eachyear 
turned into a regular little darky brown,” 
as Mr. Steward told her, “ with only enough 
of the rose left in her cheeks to save her 
from being mistaken for Susan, the cook.” 
Her hair matched the brown of her eyes, 
and was the trial of her life, for it was as 
straight as an Indian’s and so fine in tex- 
ture that it defied all bonds and fiew at its 
own sweet will despite combs, pins, and 
braids. 

Bert showed the old English blood from 
which he got his name, and few boys of his 
age could boast such a figure or such skin. 
Five feet five in his stockings, tipping the 
scales at one hundred and twenty-two 
pounds, straight as a young sapling, and 
with a finely shaped head set upon a pair 
of broad shoulders, he was good indeed to 
look at. If the head was thatched with a 
very curly golden thatch which the owner 
IG 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


failed to appreciate, and labored most in- 
dustriously to reduce to straight strings by 
sousing in the wash basin a dozen times a 
day, and the blue eyes needed the aid of 
glasses to bring objects within their range 
of vision, nobody seemed to regard these as 
the least detrimental to the laddie^s appear- 
ance. More than one older person would 
turn to look at the pair when, decked in 
their bathing toggery, they raced over the 
sandy beach to win first plunge, and, never 
caring a whit for the grown-ups, splashed 
each other and enjoyed life as it can only be 
enjoyed “ when life is young.’’ 

It was the first week in July, and in 
August a f^te was to be given at one of the 
large hotels in Totem Harbor, when all 
sorts of contests would be in order, and 
among them a bicycle race for girls between 
twelve and fifteen. Bess had ridden ever 
since she was a child of eight, and she and 
Bert had scoured the country for miles 
17 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


around. Bert expected to enter several of 
the boys^ contests, but, with the exception 
of the bicycle race for the girls, there 
seemed, as yet, nothing for Bess, as she was 
not an expert at tennis, and her one other 
accomplishment, rowing, had no place in 
the girls’ sports. 

I shall have to give it up, and that’s all 
about it,” she said ; for get a new bicycle 
I just can’t, and ride this one I canter! 
How’s that for English?” and the red lips 
parted in a merry laugh to display a row of 
white, even teeth. 

Oh, fudge! it can’t be given up. It’s 
just got to go through in some way. What’s 
the use of your having worked all winter in 
a gymnasium getting up your muscle if you 
can’t have something to show for it this 
summer? We’ve just got to think up a way, 
so stir up your noddle and do it.” 

They were sitting upon the grassy, 
wooded bluff overlooking Totem Harbor, 
18 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


with its myriads of pretty islands dotted 
like emeralds upon a bed of diamonds, for 
the waters of the bay, dancing in the sun- 
shine, reflected in the children's eyes and 
caused them to blink. 

Just then the sharp toot- toot of a whistle 
made them look toward the dock about a 
quarter of a mile to their left to see a 
small launch put off and make its way 
rapidly toward an island which lay a mile 
off shore. Wonder who^s got left this 
time? commented the boy, picking up a 
pebble and tossing it into the water below 
him. 

Someone, you may bet a round cooky 
on that; they always do. Wonder why they 
don’t start just about two seconds sooner, 
so long as they know that they’ve got to 
start anyway,” replied the girl. 

As though in answer to their questions a 
voice just behind them caused them to turn 
suddenly as a gentleman asked: 

19 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


“ Can you young people tell us whether 
there is any way of our getting over to 
Clarke’s Island now that the launch has 
been inconsiderate enough to leave us be- 
hind? ” 

There was a rapid exchange of glances be- 
tween Bess and Bert, and their lips 
twitched, but they answered politely: 

‘‘ No, sir, we can’t, for the launch makes 
only one trip a day, and will not come back 
until four o’clock.” 

‘‘ It doesn’t look such a tremendous dis- 
tance across,” said the lady. “ Don’t you 
suppose we could find someone to row us 
over? I should not in the least mind going 
that way if it might be in such a beautiful 
little boat as that one down there,” and she 
pointed to a handsome steel craft which 
danced as lightly as a feather upon the 
water just below them. 

Do you know whether it is a private or 
a public boat? ” asked the gentleman. 

20 


STOKIES OF ANIMALS 


Perhaps we might hire the owner to take 
us over.’^ 

IPs my boat,” answered Bert, “ and I’ll 
be very glad to row you over if you would 
like to have me. Bess and I were just 
thinking of taking a pull ourselves, and 
we’d as soon go to the island as anywhere.” 

What is the fare? ” asked the gentle- 
man, smiling. 

“ Oh, that’s all right,” answered the boy, 
blushing at the thought of being misunder- 
stood. 

Quicker than her husband to note the 
blush and guess its cause, the lady inter- 
posed : 

Mr. Chester is a great tease, but we will 
accept your kind offer, and feel very grate- 
ful for your service, too. Would you mind 
telling us your names that we may know 
to whom we are indebted? ” and she smiled 
at Bess, who was looking at her in her 
bright, happy way. 


21 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


My name is Bess Cliffton, and I live in 
that little cottage just over there. His is 
Bert Steward, and that is his home,’’ she re- 
plied as she pointed to a pretty villa tucked 
away among the trees behind them. 

“ We will go for a voyage with the two 
B’s ; that will be a unique experience which 
none of the rest of our party, steaming away 
so unconcernedly in the launch out yonder, 
will be able to boast,” and she laughed as 
she followed her husband and the young 
people down the steps to the little landing. 

In a few moments Bert and Bess had 
their passengers safely on board, and each 
taking a pair of oars they leaned back to 
the long, steady strokes which sent the 
beautiful little craft flying over the water. 
They made a pretty picture as their lithe 
young flgures swayed back and forth in per- 
fect rhythm, and their faces grew flushed 
and their eyes bright with the healthful 
exercise. 


22 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 

darkens Island was one of the show places 
of the harbor, and a favorite resort for those 
dwelling upon the mainland. A small 
steam launch made a daily trip to and fro, 
leaving Totem Harbor at ten each morning, 
and returning at four in the afternoon. 
The island was owned by a man named 
Marion Clarke, who spent about five 
months of each year there, living the life of 
a recluse, with an old housekeeper to look 
to the care of the servants and minister to 
his personal wants. Years before, while 
still a young man, he had bought the island 
and built the handsome house in which he 
was now living, furnishing it luxuriously, 
and beautifying the land about it. When 
all was completed he had brought his bride 
there, and they had spent a summer of un- 
qualified delight, leaving it late in the 
autumn to go abroad for an extended trip. 
Years passed without their return, and in 
the interval no expense was spared to keep 
23 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 

the island in perfect order and ready to re- 
ceive its master and mistress at any mo- 
ment. In the course of time it became a 
perfect fairyland, and was visited by the 
guests staying at the summer resorts all 
along the shore. It was about a mile and a 
half long, and possibly half a mile wide. 
At its east end a small pavilion had been 
built, where the caretaker served a dainty 
luncheon each day, and made a nice profit 
for himself and family, which consisted of 
his wife and little crippled son. The west 
end of the island was divided off by a high 
wire fence, which protected the owner from 
too curious visitors, and gave the seclusion 
he seemed to desire above all other things 
in this world. He was never seen by those 
who visited the island, and for some unac- 
countable reason, or no reason at all, for so 
things have a trick of shaping in this odd 
world, had gradually acquired the reputa- 
tion of being a parsimonious, disagreeable 
24 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


man. He rarely left tlie island, and was 
never known to have a visitor. How he 
passed his time was entirely a matter of 
speculation to his distant neighbors, and it 
is needless to add that their imaginations 
left nothing wanting. 

It did not take Bert and Bess long to row 
across and land their passengers at the 
dock, where they were rapturously wel- 
comed by the party which had preceded 
them. Mrs. Chester paused a moment to 
bid the young captain and first mate good- 
by, and to thank them for their kindness, 
but Mr. Chester drew Bert one side to say : 

If you will not name a price for your 
ferrying, you must let me make a little 
present to you and the young lady. Invest 
it in a box of HuyleFs and eat to our 
health,” he said as he offered Bert a two- 
dollar bill. 

“ Oh, no! You mustn’t! We don’t want 
anything for doing it. We were glad to. 

25 


STOKIES OF ANIMALS 

It was just fun/’ protested Bert, promptly 
putting his hands behind him and backing 
away as though he feared personal violence. 

Mr. Chester began to laugh as he followed 
him up, saying : 

Oh, but you must; we don’t have such 
pilots every day — we wish to show our ap- 
preciation,” and he nodded very positively 
as he forced the bill into the boy’s unwill- 
ing hand. 

“ I don’t know what father will say. 
He’ll think I’m a fine fellow to let people 
pay me for doing a little thing like this.” 

Tell him I insisted upon it for the sake 
of the first mate.” Mr. Chester bowed and 
waved his hand as he turned to rejoin his 
wife. 

“ Come on, Bess,” called Bert, as he 
sprang into the boat. A moment later Bess 
had taken her place in the stern, leaving the 
captain to pull slowly along the shore in 
the direction of Mr. Clarke’s dwelling, 
26 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 

They were barely ten yards from the sliore 
when, chancing to glance toward it, Bess 
cried excitedly: 

Oh, Bert, look quick ! See that magnifi- 
cent cat sitting on that rock over there! 
She must be watching for a fish. Lef s stop 
a minute and look at her.” 

Now if there was one thing in this world 
which Bess Cliff ton loved more than an- 
other it was a cat, and if mystical discrim- 
ination may be assigned as one of that ani- 
mal’s peculiarities, cats certainly knew her 
weakness, and promptly took advantage of 
it upon all occasions. 

Her surmises regarding this particular 
cat were correct, for the next instant puss 
reached her dainty paw into the water, drew 
it quickly back and landed as fine a catch as 
ever gladdened a cat’s palate. 

Row ashore this minute ! ” cried Bess. 
« got to see that cat if Money-bags 
Clarke kills me for the trespass.” 

27 


CHAPTEE II 


‘‘JUST AS EASY AS — AS 

3 the boat grated upon the beach the 



cat looked up from her feast, but did 
not evince the least fear as the boy and girl 
drew nearer. The little fish was promptly 
disposed of, and with a final contented gulp 
puss eyed her unknown visitors and 
awaited developments. 

“ Pussykins ; pussykins ! Oh, do come 
here, kitty, called Bess enticingly, as she 
scrambled out of the boat and walked 
toward the cat with hand extended. 

“ R-r-r-r-r-wow,” warbled puss in the 
throaty meow to which cats give voice when 
in a particularly affectionate mood, and, 
arching her back, rubbed against Bess’s 
gown. 


28 


STOKIES OF ANIMALS 


Oh, you dear ! cried the girl, reaching 
down and lifting the cat gently into her 
arms. Then took place a little scene with 
just one person for audience, but he was so 
completely hidden by the trees that neither 
Bess nor Bert suspected his presence. 
Nearly half an hour passed before Puss and 
her visitors had admired each other to their 
mutual satisfaction, then with a parting 
hug and kiss upon the caPs silky fur, Bess 
put her back upon the ground and returned 
to the boat. But the cat was evidently 
loath to have her new friends depart, and 
when they were pushing off ran along the 
shore, mewing for them to either return or 
to take her with them. 

“ I wish we could take you with us, 
pussy,” Bess called back, but we mustn^t, 
for I dare say you belong to Billy Dixon, 
and he hasn^t much to make him happy, 
poor little chap. You can’t possibly be Mr. 
Clarke’s, because you are on the wrong side 
29 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


of the wire fence, and that runs straight 
into the water. Besides, I donT believe he 
would look at a cat, do you, Bert? ” 

If he had any sense, he’d look at that 
one. I never saw such a dandy. Wish you 
could have it.” 

“ Well we’ll row over as often as ever we 

can to see it, and ” But before she 

could finish her sentence Bert burst in 
with: 

Bess, I’ve the brightest idea you ever 
heard of! What a chump I was not to 
think of it before. Listen. You know that 
people come over here every day, and 
hardly a day passes that someone isn’t left ; 
then there’s a pretty fuss. Nobody has ever 
thought of starting a rowboat ferry to tote 
over the lag-behinds, so what’s the matter 
with our doing it and earning the cash for 
a new wheel? We needn’t expect to get a 
dollar a fare as we did to-day, but I bet you 
anything we could get ten cents just as easy 
30 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


as not, and that would count up pretty fast 
if we stuck to it.’^ Bert leaned forward 
upon his oars to peer eagerly into 
Bess’s face and gather the effect of his 
words. 

And make you work every day for some- 
thing which wouldn’t be yours after all? 
That would be a fine thing to do, wouldn’t 
it? ” 

“ Oh, nonsense ! That’s all right. I want 
you to enter the contest as much as you 
want to do it yourself, and it would be just 
fun to help. I think that it’s a dandy 
scheme. Will you do it? ” 

“ It would be all very dandy at first, but 
some day you’d want to go off with some of 
the boys or your father on the auto, then 
all the dandy of it would fly away, for you’d 
give them up to keep your bargain with me, 
and I’d feel meaner than a fiddler crab for 
letting you,” and Bess shook her head 
solemnly, although her eyes had begun to 

31 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


sparkle at the thought of earning the bi- 
cycle by her own efforts. 

“ Oh, see here now! You’ve got to. It’s 
such a splendid chance, and, honest, I’d love 
to do it. Will you? ” 

“ I don’t question that you’d like to well 
enough,” protested Bess. “ What have I 
known you all these years for not to know 
that? But if we got the wheel in the end, 
it would really be half your earnings which 
bought it, and I’m not going to do it, so 
there now,” and Bess settled herself upon 
the stern seat as though her resolution were 
as firmly taken as her position. 

“ Then I’ve got to make you say ‘ Yes,’ 
and that’s all about it, so here goes!” 
Without more ado, splash went the oar into 
the water and a shower bath fiew all over 
Bess’s clean gingham sailor suit. 

Oh, you villain ! Quit ! Stop ! You’ve 
drowned me ! ” 

Don’t care a cent! Mean to! Just 


32 


STOEIEB OP ANIMALS 


what I^m going to do till yon yell ^ Yes M 
Will yon do it? Will yon? Will yon?” 
and sonse, sonse flew the salt water. 

Bnt Bess was pretty capable of snstain- 
ing her own side of the “ battle,” and, catch- 
ing np the sponge from the bottom of the 
boat, promptly dipped it into the water and 
let a shower fly. For a few minntes the 
water splashed wildly over both of them, 
then defeat overtook Bess, for overboard 
fell her hat, and went calmly sailing away 
toward the Atlantic Ocean. 

Qnick ! qnick ! Catch it before it sinks,” 
she screamed. 

Not till yon promise! Will yon?” de- 
manded Bert, skillfnlly dropping his oars 
into the oarlocks and holding them poised 
for the stroke to be made the instant the 
promise was given. 

Get my hat! I promise! Yon’ve soaked 
all the starch and all the spnnk ont of me, 
too, yon good-for-nothing boy,” and Bess 
33 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 

collapsed into her seat. The next instant 
the floating hat was fished out of the water 
and landed dripping in her lap, thereby put- 
ting the finishing stroke to the ducking. 

‘‘ Now for mercy’s sake take me home and 
let me get into something dry; there isn’t 
a rag on me that isn’t sopping.” 

How about me? ” and Bert shook his 
soaking shirt-sleeve. 

Then the sky cleared and peals of laugh- 
ter went ringing over the water to the 
leafy covert on the island where sat an 
elderly man who had watched the scene 
with absorbing interest, and as the squabble 
progressed a faint smile curved his lips, to 
vanish almost instantly in a pathetic sigh, 
and into his eyes crept a look of such in- 
tense longing that even the light-hearted oc- 
cupants of the boat would have been 
touched by it, could they have seen it. As 
the boat and its laughing crew drew away, 
and finally passed beyond sight and hear- 
34 


STOKIES OF ANIMALS 


ing, the man turned wearily toward the 
west end of the island, murmuring softly: 
“ J ust the age, and so like my little Hearts- 
ease. God bless them and help me,’’ 

A few moments later the boat ran upon 
the sandy beach in front of Bess’s home, 
and a voice from her piazza called : 

I’ve caught bluefish and blackfish in 
these waters, but never before have I seen 
redsnapper and whitefish landed.” 

She’s the snapper. She pretty nearly 
took my head off before I got her to prom- 
ise something, and then she nearly drowned 
me.” 

‘^And herself as well for sweet friend- 
ship’s sake? ” queried Mrs. Cliffton, as she 
walked down to the beach and leaned over 
the boat to speak to the boy and girl who 
were looking up at her, and to give a play- 
ful tweak to each ear. 

That’s for misbehaving while beyond 
my ken.” 


35 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


‘‘Yes, thaPs right, Mrs. Cliffton. Just 
give it to her, and then listen to me while I 
tell you how outrageously she’s been act- 
ing. It was just awful, I tell you,” and out 
scrambled Bert to put a very moist arm 
about Mrs. Cliffton’s shoulders, while Bess 
slipped another about her waist from the 
other side, thereby sharing their affection 
and their salt water most impartially, while 
both talked as hard as their tongues could 
wag, and Mrs. Cliffton did her best to make 
beginning or end of their story. But oh, 
dear me, how she liked it ! What did clean 
shirt waists or carefully laundered pique 
skirts count against this precious fellow- 
ship they were ready to give her? 

And so the trio made their way across the 
lawn to the Olifftons’ piazza, where the re- 
cent events were rehearsed, while each tried 
to make her take the side of the speaker. 

Twenty minutes later Bert ran down to 
the beach again, calling back as he went: 

36 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


Didn^t I do right to make her promise, 
Mrs. Cliff ton? I’m going to take the 
tilus up to the buoy now, and get every- 
thing ship-shape for our first trip. Good-by, 
Mrs. Cliffton ; good-by, first mate.” 

Dear laddie,” said Mrs. Cliffton as he 
pulled off, and then drawing Bess to her 
side, she kissed the soft forehead, adding 
Mother’s thoughtful little daughter.” 

The very bestest little mother I ever 
had,” cried Bess, flinging her arms impul- 
sively about her mother’s neck, and then, 
breaking into a merry laugh, ran off to her 
room to get into something less suggestive 
of mermaids. 

July had nearly passed and the date of 
the fete was drawing near. For four weeks 
Bert and Bess had plied their ferrying, and 
had met with even greater success than they 
had hoped for. At first their passengers 
consisted of the “ left-overs,” as Bess called 
the belated ones, but little by little the 
37 


STOEIES OP ANIMALS 


guests at the hotels about learned of the 
new ferry, and, novelty ever proving allur- 
ing, patronized it from choice. It was often 
hard to give up some trip, or fun planned by 
their young friends, and stick to busi- 
ness, but neither the boy nor the girl was of 
the sort which will lightly give up a cher- 
ished object, simply for want of persever- 
ance in winning. So back and forth they 
pulled, once, twice, and often three times a 
day, and the pile of dimes grew marvel- 
ously. Bert was cashier, and tucked away 
their earnings in an old safe-deposit box 
his father had given him. 

The first day of August they took ac- 
count of stock,” so to speak. The box was 
opened and the contents counted. Sixteen 
dollars had been earned, which they carried 
to Mr. Steward and received in exchange a 
crisp ten, five, and one dollar bill. Locking 
these carefully in their box, they rushed 
down to the bathing houses to give vent to 
38 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


their joy by preparing for a swim, for 
nothing short of a vigorous splash could 
work off steam. A moment later each 
emerged from a bathhouse and rushed 
for Berf s canoe, which was always pressed 
into service when a dip was in order. 
Scrambling in, each took a paddle and 
struck out for dear life. Away shot the 
feather-weight craft, and when out about 
a hundred yards from the shore, Bert de- 
manded : 

“ Didn’t I tell you we could do it just as 
easy as — as ” 

That ! ” cried Bess, giving a sudden 
dexterous twist to the canoe, which in- 
stantly turned it bottom-side-up, and sent 
them both splashing and laughing into the 
water, to swim about like a couple of young 
dolphins. 


39 


CHAPTER III 


THE TROPHY 

I T was one week before the contest, and 
although Bert and Bess had plied their 
ferrying most faithfully, the necessary sum 
was still incomplete, and it seemed a^ 
though failure must overtake them in spite 
of all their efforts. 

One hot, sultry morning, when thunder- 
heads loomed ominously in the northwest, 
and the air upon the land quivered as it 
rose, they pulled over as usual to the island, 
and after landing their passengers, rowed 
to a little cove further up the beach and were 
welcomed by the cat, which had learned to 
watch for their coming, and to greet them 
each day. Pulling the boat well up on the 
sand, the boy and girl threw themselves 
40 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


upon the grass under a splendid elm, for the 
lawn came almost to the water’s edge, and 
began to pet the cat, which promptly en- 
sconced itself in Bess’s lap. But puss must 
have detected a want of warmth' in her at- 
tentions that morning, and seemed to be 
trying to supply the lack herself by being 
more gracious than usual, as she rubbed 
and warbled and purred like a galvanic bat- 
tery. 

“ Yes, pussy, you are just as dear as ever 
you can be,” said Bess, but I am cross and 
horrid to-day, and all because I can’t have 
something that I want very much indeed, 
and do something that I want to do just 
dreadful,” and unconsciously Bess lifted 
the cat up by its fore legs and gave it a vig- 
orous shake, which puss instantly resented 
by giving a surprised squawl and bounding 
out of her arms. The squawl and the 
spring brought the girl back to her senses; 
with a voice filled with contrition she 
41 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


bounded up and ran after the fleeing cat, 
calling as she ran : Oh, pussy ; dear, dear 
pussy, I did not mean to be cross to you. 
Please come back. Poor kitty ! ” 

But Madam Pussy^s dignity had been 
grievously outraged, and she meant to leave 
no doubt of the fact. So on she tore with 
Bess in hot pursuit, scrambling under the 
thick foliage, and calling imploringly, until 
the next thing she knew she had plunged 
headlong into a pair of very substantial 
arms. 

“ My goodness! Oh, I heg your pardon! 
I didn’t see you ! ” she gasped. 

So I conclude,” answered the owner of 
the arms, at the same time re-establishing 
the young lady’s equilibrium, and then step- 
ping back to smile an odd, sad smile at her. 
Bert had by this time overtaken her, and 
promptly doffing his hat said: 

“We frightened the cat and were trying 
to get her to come back. She is such a 
42 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


beauty, and meets us every day. We think 
that she belongs to Billy Dixon, although 
we have never seen her at the dock. Too 
many people there, I dare say ; she seems to 
be an exclusive sort of lady. She is a 
beauty, isn’t she, sir? ” for the cat had now 
settled herself contentedly upon a rustic 
seat nearby, and Bess was making her peace 
with her. 

Bess now looked up to ask : Have you 
ever seen her before? ” The expression upon 
her face was Bess’s own, for she was as 
wanting in self-consciousness as any little 
child, and took the world kindly. 

The gentleman before her replied : Yes, 
I have seen her before. She is a very hand- 
some cat.” 

We think she is the handsomest we have 
ever seen, and so intelligent. . She comes 
to meet us every day; we have grown so 
fond of her and she of us,” and forthwith 
Bess launched into a eulogy upon the cat. 

43 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


From time to time the gentleman let fall a 
question, or made a leading remark, until 
before the young people knew how it had 
happened, they were seated beside him upon 
the rustic seat, telling him all about their 
ferrying, why they were doing it, also the 
state of the exchequer, while puss luxuri- 
ated in Bess’s lap, and their companion 
almost drank in their words, and looked at 
them as a starving man looks at a feast 
which is just beyond his reach. 

Do you come over here often? ” ques- 
tioned Bess, looking up into her new friend’s 
eyes. 

Yes, very often. It is a pretty place to 
visit, don’t you think so? ” 

“Just lovely! I don’t wonder that 
people come every day. Bert and I never 
suspected how lovely it was until we 
started our ferry, but now we find some- 
thing new nearly every time we come. Of 
course, we never go up to the other end of 
44 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


the island, although we^re just dying to, for 
we know pretty well what sort of a recep- 
tion we^d meet with at Money-bags^ Castle.” 
Bess did not notice the slight start the man 
gave when she made use of the uncompli- 
mentary name by which half the young 
people of Totem Harbor spoke of the owner 
of the island. 

No,” asserted Bert, we take good care 
to keep on the east side of the boundary 
wire, although we often row clear around 
the island in the hope of catching a glimpse 
of old Money-bags Clarke. He must be a 
great old codger to stay stived up there all 
the time, and never have any visitors or do 
a thing with his money.” 

How do you know that he does not do 
‘ a thing ’ with it? 

Oh, everybody knows that ! Why, only 
last summer the people over at the shore 
were getting up a benefit for a family that 
was just as poor as poor could be; father 
45 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


had been in the New Haven Hospital for 
months and months, and there were kids 
enough for half a dozen families. The 
mother did washing till she got sick, too, 
and they had" an awful time. Some of the 
people thought that Mr. Clarke ought to 
help because he had such a lot of money and 
nobody to think of, so two or three of them 
came over here to see him, and what do you 
suppose he did? Just let ’em talk and talk 
until he’d found out all about it, and they 
thought he was so interested that they’d get 
a pile, and then said that he never attended 
functions of that sort and guessed he didn’t 
want any tickets. Now what do you think 
of that for an old skinflint with piles of 
cash?” Bert wagged his head, and then 
snatched off the cap he wore to shake it 
viciously, as though that would have been 
his method of dealing with the parsimoni- 
ous Clarke. 

Yes,” broke in Bess, and wasn’t it 
46 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


funny? The very next day a check came to 
the people at the hotel for a hundred dol- 
lars, and a note to say that it came from an 
unknown friend in New Haven who had 
learned of the benefit to be given. It was 
signed with the name of the bank cashier, 
and no one was ever able to find out whether 
he really sent it, — I mean drew it, — or 
whether he did it for someone else. Mamma 
said that she had a pretty shrewd idea where 
it came from, and when some of the ladies 
begged her to tell she just nodded over 
toward this island. You ought to have 
heard them laugh at the idea, for one of 
them had been with the party that called 
upon Mr. Clarke. But they couldn’t change 
mamma’s opinion, and, well — it’s nice to 
think that it may have been him, isn’t it? 
I hate to think unkind things of people, 
don’t you? It makes one feel so much more 
comfortable to think nice ones.” 

One must judge a man by his deeds, I 
47 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


presume, and you know that a very famous 
person once said : ‘ A man^s evil deeds live 
after him, but his good deeds are often in- 
terred with his bones ’ ; so perhaps that may 
be the case in this instance,” and the gentle- 
man looked at Bess searchingly. 

I don’t believe it ! ” was the girl’s cham- 
pion-like, if rather rude contradiction, for 
she hated injustice of any kind, and all her 
sense of right and wrong, which was keen, 
arose to defend anyone, or anything, wrongly 
suspected and unjustly accused. If the 
good things which people do are forgotten, 
how is it we happen to have such splendid 
biographies of people and the generous 
things they have done? If Mr. Clarke is a 
crusty old codger who doesn’t want to see 
people, or be bothered by them, maybe he 
has some reason for it, although it is pretty 
hard to understand how a man can have 
such loads and loads of money and not be 
perfectly crazy to do things for other people. 

48 


STOKIES OP AKIMALS 

Why, he couldn’t turn around without find- 
ing something he could do to make other 
people happy, if he only had his eyes wide 
enough open to see it. My goodness ! don’t 
I wish mamma and I were rich enough to do 
the things we would like to do. I don’t care 
a cent for money just to stack it up, do 
you?” and she turned her radiant face 
toward the man. But we can’t do one- 
tenth of the things we want to because all 
we have that little mother of mine has to 
earn by scribbling. Of course, when we are 
down here she rests and has a lovely time 
with us, — Bert and me, — but when we go 
back to New York she just hustles all win- 
ter, I can tell you,” and off galloped Bess 
upon her hobby, for when mother ” came 
uppermost in her thoughts, and that was 
pretty often, no parent ever needed a 
warmer eulogizer. Her new friend listened 
with fiattering interest, drawing the girl on 
to talk more and more freely, and occasion- 
49 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


ally appealing to the boy^s opinion, glean- 
ing in that one hour more information and 
more true happiness than had fallen to his 
share in many a long day. There is no tell- 
ing how long Bess would have chatted on, 
had not an interruption come from the 
mainland. 

« My goodness ! There goes the twelve 
o’clock whistle,” she cried, as a prolonged 
tooting from the shore announced noon. 

What under the sun will mother think has 
become of us, Bert? ” and she jumped to her 
feet with a look of dismay. “ Where has this 
morning gone to? ” 

‘‘ By crackie, I don’t know. Are you go- 
ing over to the mainland yet, sir? We’d be 
awfully glad to row you across.” 

I had not thought of going just yet, but 
since you are good enough to ask me, I be- 
lieve I will go now,” and he rose from his 
seat to follow them down to the boat, the 
cat trotted familiarly beside him and oeca- 
50 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


sionally rubbing against his legs. Bess 
noticed the act instantly, and said : 

Puss has accepted you as a friend, too. 
Mother says that it is a good sign when ani- 
mals and children like people ; she says that 
she always trusts such people.’^ 

Then I may win her friendship some 
day, I hope, as I trust I have won her daugh- 
ter’s and her daughter’s friend’s,” said their 
companion, seating himself in the boat. 
Bess colored, for she had not stopped to 
weigh her words, and realized after they 
were spoken that they had been a trifle per- 
sonal. Then came the usual farewell to the 
cat, in which their friend joined, and the 
boat sped toward the mainland. When 
they reached the landing their passenger 
offered Bert a flfty-cent piece, saying : 

My contribution toward the wheel.” 

Oh, no! We couldn’t possibly take it! 
Why, we asked you to come.” 

“ That makes no difference, I have been 
51 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 

a passenger,” and he proffered the money 
again. 

No ! no! We will not take it,” broke in 
Bess. “We invited you to row with us be- 
cause we liked you, and had such a nice 
little visit with you over on the island, but 
it would just spoil it to take money for 
bringing you home. We can’t, no we 
can’t! ” and a light came into the girl’s eyes 
which showed a determined spirit hard to 
conquer, once she had made up her mind to 
a certain line of conduct. 

“Very well, little comrades; I accept 
your courtesy in the kindly spirit in which 
it is offered, but the next time you must let 
me pay my debts. So let us shake hands 
and part as old friends, for I do not mean to 
lose sight of you, if I can help it.” His hand 
was extended first to Bess, who promptly 
put her slender brown paw in the great 
strong one, and wondered why it was held 
so long and tenderly, for the man placed his 
62 ' 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


other caressingly over hers, and seemed 
loath to release it. “ Good-by, young man. 
I hope to know your father soon, for he 
must be a man worth cultivating. Good- 
by.^’ 

Somehow I don^t feel half so glum over 
the wheel question as I did,” said Bess, as 
she and Bert walked toward her home after 
having made the boat fast. I guess it^s be- 
cause we’ve had that chat with Mr. . 

My goodness, Bert ! we don’t even know his 
name,” and Bess stopped stock still in the 
road. 

“ Well, he knows ours, all right enough,” 
cried Bert with a comical laugh, and don’t 
you forget it. And he knows a heap more 
besides. Bess, we’ve been ‘ done ’ and never 
suspected it, but I guess it won’t kill us.” 

“ Well, I don’t care one cent if we have, 
He was a gentleman^ anyway, and if it 
amused him to talk with us for an hour, I’m 
sure he’s welcome to the pleasure. I like 
53 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


him, and hope we’ll see him again,” and 
Bess gave her head a determined little wag. 

Two more days of the week passed, and 
although Bert and Bess had redoubled their 
efforts, the fund did not grow with the 
rapidity they had hoped it would. On 
Wednesday afternoon neither was san- 
guine as they sat upon one of the lawn 
seats in Mr. Steward’s grounds; one growl- 
ing at perverse fate, the other trying to look 
cheerful under difficulties. An express 
wagon passed along the road, and on it was 
a bicycle, carefully cased. As wheels were 
uppermost in their minds at that moment, 
it was no wonder that both were quick to 
notice it. 

Oh, look there ! Isn’t that a dandy 
wheel? ” cried Bert, pointing to the wagon. 

Bess jumped to her feet, stooped sud- 
denly, caught up two or three clover leaves 
which were growing in the grass at her feet 
and said excitedly, “ If I’m lucky there’ll 
54 


STOKIES OF ANIMALS 


be a four-leafed clover in tbis bunch, and 
I’ll wish that when I get my wheel it will be 
just as handsome as that beauty. And, 
Bert! Bert! there is a four-leafed one. 
Look! look! And — the wagon has stopped 
at our house, they are leaving the wheel 
there ! ” The next second two wildly ex- 
cited young people were racing along the 
road toward Bess’s cottage, gesticulating, 
and screaming to Mrs. Cliffton, who was 
just signing the expressman’s receipt for 
the case left at her door. 

Breathless they reached the piazza, 
breathless they read the address upon the 
tag attached to the bicycle case : Miss Bess 
Cliffton^ Ivy Cliff Cottage, Totem Harbor, 
Conn.,” still breathless they began taking 
apart the crating and removing the hand- 
some wheel, piece by piece. Hardly a word 
was spoken by either during the process, 
but the rapidity with which that wheel was 
removed from its protecting wrappings, the 
55 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


skill with which each part was adjusted, 
gingerly touched, as though it might prove 
a fairy wheel and vanish before their eyes, 
was a marvel to Mrs. Cliffton, who stood 
watching the progress. It^s the very new- 
est model ladies^ Columbia! It’s a chain- 
less, right up to date! Say, Bess, there are 
no flies on that wheel,” announced Bert, as 
piece after piece was put in place, and at 
last the wheel stood complete before their 
admiring, eager eyes. 

It’s even the very color I wished for, a 
perfect garnet! It’s one of the most ex- 
pensive wheels made! Why, Bert, that 
wheel must have cost a hundred dollars. I 
never in this world could have bought one 
like it, if we had rowed back and forth to the 
island from now till Christmas. And oh, 
Mudger, Mudger, who do you think could 
have sent it to me? ” Without more ado, 
Bess flung her arms about her mother’s neck 
and whirled her about in a delirium of joy, 
56 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


while Bert threw his hat into the air and 
shouted at the top of his lungs: 

Hurrah ! hurrah ! hurrah ! for the chap 
or the chapess who did it, whoever he or she 
may be! Now you can go in for your 
trophy.” 


57 


CHAPTER IV 


THE CATASTROPHE 


HE 7th of August, the day anticipated 



JL with fear and trembling by those 
entered for the various games and contests 
which would take place in the afternoon, 
and with joy by all the young people at the 
hotels and cottages, had arrived, and the 
wildest excitement prevailed. Two o’clock 
was the hour set for the first contest, and 
long before the clock struck that hour car- 
riages began to arrive and deposit their 
burdens at the piazza of the big hotel in the 
grounds of which, and upon whose beach, 
the games were to take place. Aside from 
the regular programme arranged there 
would be various contests for the older men 
and maids, but our interest centers wholly 


68 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


in the games for the young people; these 
consisted of four for the boys under fifteen 
and four for the girls of the same ages. 

Promptly at the stroke of two the judges 
appeared and began to get their charges in 
order. First on the programme came a row- 
ing contest for the boys between twelve and 
fifteen, and ten boats were entered. BerPs 
Nautilus was gotten up in style, for a tiny 
silken flag, which Bess had made for him, 
waved at the bow, and the brass work had 
been polished until it rivaled the sunlight. 
The signal was given and the boats lined 
up. A breathless pause ensued while the 
judges’ eyes rested critically upon each, lest 
by some partiality one boat should be an 
inch in advance of another. But the line 
was at length pronounced entirely satis- 
factory, and bang, went a pistol shot. At 
the same instant each oar dropped into the 
water as if by magic. Ten boys bent to the 
long, sweeping strokes which would carry 
59 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


them out to the half-mile stake-boat, around 
it, and back to the goal, before the anxiously 
watching crowd of ladies and gentlemen 
upon the pier, board walk, and beach would 
have time to draw a dozen long breaths. 
Well did Bert’s daily trips to and from the 
island stand him in stead now, for during 
those weeks of struggle for Bess he had un- 
consciously been putting in some solid train- 
ing for himself, and long before the home 
stake was reached cries went up : “ Bert ! 
Bert! Hurrah! What’s the matter with 
Bert? He’s all right! ” and in rushed the 
victorious 'Nautilus, to be greeted with wild 
acclamations. 

Next in order came the tennis contest for 
the girls. This was to be played by two 
girls who, during the previous weeks, had 
played a tournament, and as the champions 
of that had now been chosen to play three 
games as a final test of their prowess. A 
general move was made toward the tennis 
60 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


courts, where Isabel Arnold and Florence 
Bates were already in their places. Back 
and forth, up and down flashed the rackets, 
and thither and yonder skipped the girls 
after the two elusive balls. Tally-keepers 
called out the score to the interested spec- 
tators and yet more interested contestants. 

Pour to six in favor of Miss Bates,’^ was 
the flrst score called, and then came a rest. 
The next game was a tie. The flnal game 
was a close one, and hotly contested, but 
was deservedly won by Miss Arnold, the 
score being five to six.. 

‘‘ All to the beach for the hundred-yard 
swimming contest ! ” called out the master 
of ceremonies, and a general scramble 
toward the beach took place. Five boys were 
entered for this, and presently came run- 
ning over the sand from their bathhouses, 
five as fine-looking laddies as one could wish 
to see. The start was to be made from the 
beach, and at the signal five bathing tights 
61 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


splashed into the Sound, and five pairs of 
vigorous young arms struck out for a row- 
boat anchored one hundred yards from 
shore. 

Four wins ! Four wins ! ’’ cried enthusi- 
astic voices on shore. 

No ! no ! It’s three. It’s three ! ” 

And “ Three ” it was, for Bert’s number 
Four ” was outstripped by long-armed, 
splendidly set up Park Wilson, Bert’s chum 
and crony. 

“ Good for you ! Fine old man ! ” and 
Bert’s arm splashed over his friend’s back 
by way of congratulation. 

While the swimmers were receiving all 
manners of praises, six girls were preparing 
for a “ tail-end ” canoe race, w^ich had been 
decided upon almost at the last moment, 
and for which Bess was entered. They now 
appeared arrayed in their pretty bathing 
suits, for such crafts as these have been 
known to turn balky and land their occu- 
62 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


pants in the water. Six canoes danced 
upon the little waves of the bay, and six 
laughing, happy girls scrambled into them. 
Those of you who have ever witnessed a 
tail-end ” race need not be told anything 
about the stunts ” which these six canoes 
executed, or the shouts of laughter which 
greeted each new antic. Had they been 
wild western broncos they could hardly have 
created greater diversion, and when Bess 
managed to guide her troublesome craft 
safely to the goal and induce it with many 
pats and persuasions to round the buoy 
without rearing bodily out of the water, the 
watchers felt that she well deserved the 
pretty gold stick-pin in the shape of a canoe 
which would fall to her share as the winner. 

A hundred-yard dash over the smooth 
beach was next in order for the laddies, and 
more than a dozen boys were entered for 
the race. Decked in their bathing tights, 
twenty-four or more bare legs went twin- 
63 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


kling over the sand when a pistol shot 
banged Go ! The race was won by a lad 
from one of the cottages, and everybody re- 
joiced thereat. He had spent hours train- 
ing for the contest, and had nearly run all 
the flesh from his bones in his eagerness to 
win the prize — a volume of Seton-Thomp- 
son’s Lives of the Hunted.’^ 

Three contests now remained; the diving 
for the boys, the bicycle race for the girls, 
and, to conclude, the pony-cart parade, 
which gave an opportunity for the very 
little people to carry off a prize. 

To Bess nothing could compare witlj the 
bicycle race, for nearly every moment since 
her own beauty had arrived she had spent 
either in admiring it, conjecturing whence 
it had come, or in riding, until her mother 
declared that she would wear herself out 
before she had a chance to race in earnest. 
Try as she would, nothing could be learned 
of the sender of this remarkable wheel, and 
64 


STOKIES OP ANIMALS 


more tlian one brain was still puzzling over 
the mystery when Bess appeared to take her 
place in the line with six other girls. Eyes 
sparkling with excitement, cheeks flushed, 
she stood ready to mount. She was a bonny 
sight decked in her pretty red-and-white 
cotton cheviot sailor suit, with its white 
braid trimmings, every stitch of which she 
had made herself, for she was a skillful 
little needle- woman, who had taken pride in 
making this gown for the festive occasion 
all herself. Truly, her mother would have 
been more than human had her eyes not 
sparkled with sympathy, and her cheeks 
burned with excitement, for the breath of 
one was as that of the other. 

The signal was given, and away sped the 
wheels. The course lay down the long hotel 
driveway, out upon the road to a straight, 
smooth path which ran to the distant cot- 
tages, then turned and made its way back 
to the hotel piazza; a distance over all of 
65 


STOKIES OP ANIMALS 


very nearly a mile. Away went the girls, 
cheered by the people, who by this time were 
ready to cheer for anything. On, out of 
sight under the trees, to reappear again 
upon the distant path, and whiz along, with 
first one and then another in the lead. It 
was a hot contest, and more than once it 
looked as though that new wheel was des- 
tined to be defeated. But Bess knew what 
she was about, and how to measure her own 
power. Just as the last turn was made, 
Bert, who had been watching proceedings 
with the keenest interest, and a very self- 
satisfied smile, gave a wild whoop, for whiz ! 
— away shot Bess from the others, pedaling 
for honor, her goal, and dear life, to come 
in fully ten yards in advance of the second 
wheel. She almost tumbled into Bert’s 
arms, for he made a wild grab at her and 
nearly knocked rider, wheel, and all into a 
heap, in his eagerness to be the first to con- 
gratulate the winner. Had not a pair of 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


firm, steady arms, come unexpectedly to 
the enthusiastic young man’s rescue, an 
ignominious smash-up would have been the 
grand finale of that bicycle race; for the 
wheels behind paused not in the order of 
their coming, but came with a rush. 

Eile mit Welle! ” said a deep voice, and 
Bess and Bert looked up to find themselves 
in the arms of their friend of the island, who 
smiled as he added : “ Well done, little 
girl! You won that race in magnificent 
style. No one can be prouder than I am to 
have seen you do it.” 

“ Oh, it was the wheel! it really was the 
wheel! Did you ever see such a splendid 
one? ” panted Bess. “ I believe I would 
almost be willing to give it up, though, right 
now, if I could only find out who sent it to 
me; I’m so ready to fly all to pieces with 
gratitude to them for doing it.” 

‘ Take the goods £he gods provide,’ is a 
wise old saw, my dear. But now let me 
67 


STOKIES OP ANIMALS 


have the honor of escorting you to the 
judge^s stand for your well-earned prize,” 
Before she well knew what had happened, 
Bess was walking off with her elderly 
friend, her arm tucked confidingly within 
his, and Bert prancing along behind, now 
and again tossing his cap in the air by way 
of giving vent to his pent-up feelings. Up 
to the judge marched Bess, to receive from 
that kindly man as pretty a chain bracelet 
as ever gladdened feminine heart. She 
gave a little gasp as it was slipped upon 
her arm, the tiny padlock snapped, and the 
key placed in her hand. Then turning to 
her new friend and Bert, cried: 

Oh, come with me quick to mamma, 
please, for I want her to see that every 
single wish I’ve had this whole summer is 
gratified. I wanted so much to have a 
bracelet like this, and a wheel, and now if 
I could only know who sent me that, and be 
able to tell Irer, I wouldn’t have a single 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


thing left in the world to wish for. Please 

come, Mr. ?” and she stopped ques- 

tioningly. 

Mr. Marion,’^ was the name supplied 
with an odd smile. 

Come, Bert, I need you, too,’^ she said, 
so brimming over with happiness that she 
would have included the entire assembly in 
her rapture. 

They made their way to where Mrs. Cliff- 
ton- was surrounded by Berths family, for 
these older people were equal sharers in the 
joys of their young folk. 

Pleasant courtesies were interchanged, 
Mr. Marion was presented, and the bracelet 
admired. But then came the announce- 
ment for the diving contest, and Bert fled to 
prepare for it, while the others made their 
way to the long pier. 

Each of the twelve boys was to dive three 
times, and many were experts. One after 
another sprung off the pier^s end, to dis- 
69 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


appear beneath the blue water. Bert was 
among the last, but satisfied nods were ex- 
changed when that stalwart young figure, 
with skin as white and dimpled as any 
girFs, but firm as alabaster, poised itself 
upon the pier^s end, and a second later 
sprung out to cut through the water clean 
as a knife blade, and come up a hundred 
feet from where it had vanished. 

Wild were the acclamations at this feat, 
for, with one exception, the other boys had 
come up spluttering like young grampuses. 
Fast and furious bobbed the laddies in and 
out of the water, but from the first the 
championship was a foregone conclusion, 
and even the other boys were wild in their 
praises of Bert and his skill. Already win- 
ner of a fine kodak, the prize given for the 
best oarsman, he now proudly displayed to 
his friends a handsome little model of the 

Columbia,’^ which, at the expense of much 
time, trouble, and infinite patience, had 
70 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


been made during tbe previous winter by 
one of the guests at the hotel. 

Last came the children’s pony-cart con- 
test; a parade in which each little lassie 
who was the fortunate owner of a pony and 
cart paraded before the admiring audience 
to display her skill in floral decorations, 
and quaint and pretty enough they were, too. 

Now why is it that dear old Mother 
Nature, usually so gracious to her children, 
is apt to turn churlish when they grow par- 
ticularly gay and festive? So absorbed 
had the guests become that only a very few 
of them noted the ominous thunder-heads 
looming up in the northwest, and not until 
a startling thunderclap burst almost over 
their heads did they realize that a violent 
tempest was upon them. Then came the 
usual scramble for protection, and before 
one could have thought it possible, the hun- 
dreds of laughing, merry people who had 
dotted the hotel lawn and beach had dis- 
VI 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


appeared as if by magic, to seek shelter 
wherever shelter offered. 

It so happened that Mr. and Mrs. Stew- 
ard, Mrs. Cliff ton, and one or two friends 
were near the Steward cottage, and into it 
all hurried. 

Unless one has witnessed such, it is diffi- 
cult to realize the sudden change which can 
take place upon the water. An hour before 
nothing could have been more peaceful than 
that exquisite expanse of blue bay, which 
was now raging and tossing like a wild 
thing. The wind was blowing a furious gale 
from the southeast, dashing thither and 
yonder the boats anchored just off shore, 
while flashes of lightning and peals of thun- 
der caused the timid to start and the brave 
to marvel. 

I say, Bess,” exclaimed Bert when, the 
worst of the storm passed, they stood watch- 
ing it from the piazza, and a wild wave 
caused his boat to drag fiercely at the 
12 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


painter; “it^s a lucky thing that I didnT 
get so rattled over winning that I forgot to 
make the Nautilus tight fast. I bet a dollar 
thereTl be some boats adrift before this 
squall is over.’’ 

“ Of course ; there always will be some- 
body who forgot until it was too late. And 
— Bert! Bert! Look over there! That’s a 
boat! See it bob up and down? And 
there’s something in it, too! What can it 
be? Quick, come down to the rocks, where 
we can see better.” Catching up her heavy 
golf cape she flung it over her shoulders, 
dragged the hood over her head, and rushed 
down the steps, Bert scrambling into his 
mackintosh to tear after her. 

Children ! Children ! Where are you 
going? ” called Mrs. Steward in dismay, 
while Mr. Steward rushed after the mad- 
caps. The storm was rapidly abating, but 
still the waves dashed furiously upon the 
rocks and beach. On tore the boy and girl, 

n 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


and on came the drifting boat — swaying, 
rolling, dashing, while high and shrill over 
the tumult of the storm arose the pitiful 
wails of a distressed cat, yowling and howl- 
ing as nothing upon this earth but a dis- 
tressed cat can. 

Bert ! Bert ! There is a cat adrift in 
that boat ! And, Bert, oh ! Bert, it is Kitty 
Island ! ” the name they had given to the 
island cat. 

What a catastrophe ! ” cried a voice at 
their elbows, and there stood Mr. Steward. 

What in this world are you insane children 
going to do?” he demanded; for Bess had 
rushed down to the landing, with Bert close 
upon her heels, and both began to haul for 
dear life at the pulley line to which the 
tilm was made fast. 

‘^Why, weVe got to save the cat, of 
course,” cried Bess, as she tugged at the 
wind-tossed rope, her hair flying, and her 
cape flapping wildly about her. 

74 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


Sure ! ” echoed Bert. Let Kitty 
Island drown out there! Not if we know 
it! Pull, Bess. There ; steady no w ! Take 
care where you step. Sit there and pull 
stroke. All right? Now for it!’^ and 
quicker than it would have taken a whole- 
some pulse to beat, the light steel craft, with 
its air-tight compartments at bow and 
stern, went bounding over the waves, rowed 
as it had never been rowed before, for it 
would have been hard to tell which of her 
two friends pulling so valiantly to her res- 
cue loved the beautiful cat the better. 

Well ITl be hanged ! ” was all the placid 
Mr. Steward said as the boat sped toward 
the derelict, and he returned to the cottage 
to reassure the feminine portion of his 
household. “ But I don^t know that I blame 
them,’’ he added, when he had succeeded in 
calming their fears. Young folks will be 
young folks, and spunk won’t hurt them.” 


75 


CHAPTER V 


“ The evening beam that smiles the cloud away, 

And tints to-morrow with prophetic ray.” 

O N came the tossing boat, and poor puss 
seemed to realize that friends and 
help were near, for she punctuated her 
yowls with the welcoming mew which Bert 
and Bess had learned to understand as their 
greeting to the island, and, digging her 
claws into the gunwale, stretched as far as 
possible toward her rescuers as their boat 
drew nearer and nearer. With the spray 
dashing around them and their hair blowing 
about their faces, the boy and girl did battle 
with the waves, meanwhile calling reassur- 
ingly to the cat. Gradually the pitiful 
wails ceased, and pussy’s accustomed dig- 
nity returned while she waited with feline 
16 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


patience for those whom she had grown to 
love and trust. Yet now and again she cast 
a wild eye upon the tumult of water all 
about her, and if ever cat breathed a sigh 
of relief, this one did as Bert’s strong arms 
grasped the gunwale of the drifting boat 
and held on to it for dear life — and the cat. 
With one final yowl Kitty Island gave a 
mighty bound and landed in Bess’s lap, 
crouching down, trembling from fright, yet 
fully confident of protection. 

Bess could not let go of her oars, but her 
tongue was not engaged, and if ever tongue 
supplied the lack of other members, Bess’s 
did in this instance, and pussy evidently 
felt that nothing was lacking. 

At last Bert succeeded in making fast the 
errant rowboat, and was so engaged with 
that difficult task, and Bess so occupied 
with holding the Nautilus steady and com- 
forting the cat, that neither noticed how 
near the island the wind and tide had car- 
77 


STOKIES OF ANIMALS 


ried them. The wind had now hauled in to 
the northwest, and was conducting itself 
less like a wild West Indian hurricane. At 
last the boat was secure, and the cat calmed 
down. Then Bert again took up his oars 
and his bearings. 

Crackie, Bess, we’re almost on the isl- 
and ! ” he cried. 

True as you live ! The tide has carried 
US way off shore, and maybe we won’t have 
a fine old pull getting home in the teeth of 
this wind and tide.” Bess gave her head a 
wise shake, for during the past weeks both 
she and Bert had had reason to learn a 
thing or two about winds and tides. 

Let’s row right to the island, though, 
and land Kitty safe and sound; it will be 
a pull anyway, so it might as well be a good 
one and done with it,” was Bert’s philosoph- 
ical retort. 

“ Yes, do ; I’m not very tired, and we can 
rest when we get there. Besides, your 
18 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


father has been watching us with his glass, 
for I can see him on the piazza this min- 
ute,’^ she said, as she peered over the 
water. 

“ By George ! I wish I could see as you 
do,” was Berths admiring exclamation. 

Blessed if I can see even the piazza. How 
can you see dad? ” . 

Right through my eyes, to be sure,” was 
the laughing reply, as she flashed a glance 
over her shoulder from the dark eyes which 
were a constant puzzle to all who saw them, 
for they were never twice the same color, 
and kept her friends guessing. 

Well, now, — all together ! ” shouted 
Bert, and down went the two pairs of oars 
as though one hand had dropped them into 
the water. We’ll get Kitty Island back to 
Billy Dixon as fast as ever we can, poor 
little chap. I dare say he’s in a state of 
mind about her if he’s missed her.” 

Then the low-hanging clouds drew off 
79 


STOKIES OF ANIMALS 


toward the east, and the sun began to peep 
from below them before it bid the world a 
cheerful good-night/^ and dropped behind 
the western hills. The island stood out in 
all the beauty of its greens and browns, with 
every object upon it intensified by the glo- 
rious light. As their boat drew near they 
saw that another one was about to put off 
from the island, rowed by Mr. Dixon, while 
in the stern, to their boundless surprise, sat 
Mr. Marion. How he had come there when 
barely two hours before they had seen him 
and spoken to him at the fete, although, 
now that they came to think of it, he had 
suddenly and completely disappeared, they 
could not understand. However, there he 
was, talking excitedly to Mr. Dixon, and 
the words which they overheard as they 
drew nearer and nearer, puzzled them more 
than ever. 

Yes! yes! I am convinced that she was 
in that boat. I am confident of it, for I left 
80 


STOEIES OP ANIMALS 


her asleep beneath the stern seat. Didn^t 
you see her? ” 

“No, sir; I didn^t, s-ir. But she’s so 
often with you in the boat that I’ve got not 
to mind. But don’t worry, sir. We’ll find 
her right enough. Cats have nine lives, 
you know, sir.” 

Until now the men had been too occupied 
and also troubled with their own concerns 
to notice the boat drawing near, but directly 
it touched the landing-stage puss gave a joy- 
ous “ Mew-ow-ow ! ” and bounded from 
Bess’s lap straight to Mr. Marion. Bess 
looked dumfounded, nor was her astonish- 
ment lessened when, with a little cry, Mr. 
Marion took the cat into his arms, and said 
in a voice that trembled with emotion : 

Mein Kameradchen! Oh, mein Ka- 
meradchen! Have they brought you safely 
back to me? ” then, with the cat still in his 
arms, he stepped from the boat and turning 
to the boy and girl said : “ Come with me, 
81 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


my little friends; there is much I would say 
to you, and you have both won the right to 
hear it.” 

With wonder clearly depicted upon each 
face, Bert and Bess scrambled out of their 
boat, tossed the painter to Mr. Dixon, 
and followed their friend without one 
word, as, with rapid, nervous strides, 
he led the way along the path from 
the dock straight to the walk which led to 
the further end of the island. He still held 
the cat in his arms, and talked to her as 
though she were a child, which could under- 
stand every word he spoke. Bert and Bess 
hurried after him as though in a strange 
sort of dream. Taking a key from his vest 
pocket, Mr. Marion unlocked the high gate 
in the fence which divided the island, and 
passed within the sacred precincts of 
Money-bags’ Castle,” straight up to the 
very castle ” itself. When he reached the 
piazza he dropped upon one of the pretty 
82 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


porch seats and motioned for Bert and Bess 
to sit beside him. For a moment not a word 
was spoken, but at length, with a final 
caress for the cat, Mr. Marion set her 
gently upon the piazza, murmuring as he 
did so : “ Thank God that even this slender 
tie has not been taken from me.” Then 
turning first to one and then the other ques- 
tioning face beside him, he laid a hand 
upon each of theirs, saying very, very ear- 
nestly : 

‘ And they wrought greater than they 
knew.’ ” 

Now, there is a certain high pressure 
when steam and the feminine tongue must 
have vent, or serious things happen. For 
fully fifteen minutes Bess had not spoEen 
one word, but had kept curiosity, amaze- 
ment, surprise, astonishment, and the whole 
category of trying emotions, tightly corked. 
Perhaps the truth would not be unduly 
stretched if I added that a masculine noddle 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


was conscious of rather high pressure also. 
Then the safety-valve began to work : 

Whose is she? Is she yours? Do you 
live here? Have you always lived here? 
Do you know Mr. Clarke? Were you living 
here the day we met you at the other end of 
the island?’’ were some of the questions 
which rattled about Mr. Marion^s head like 
shots from a Gatling gun. He smiled as he 
asked : 

Shall I try to answer them in order? ” 
Then Bess blushed, as she realized her im- 
petuosity, and Bert broke in : 

Why, you see, sir, we’re all sort of 
struck endwise with astonishment, for, — 
well, — we didn’t know that you — that Mr. 

Clarke — that we — why ” and Bert 

paused embarrassed. 

“ Can you spare a little time from your 
happy young lives to listen to a story which 
has only sadness in it, but which a lonely 
man, whom you have taught to love you 
84 


STOEIES OF ANIMALS 

both, and also taught to believe that per- 
haps this world still holds a little sunlight 
for him, wishes very much to tell you? It 
will not take very long, but perhaps we shall 
feel that we have something in common 
once it is told/^ Mr. Marion paused, looked 
off over the water toward the mainland, 
and into his eyes came a look which caused 
both Bert’s and Bess’s eyes to grow 
strangely bright. Presently he resumed: 
^‘Twenty years ago this island was my 
paradise, for thither I came with my bride, 
and here we spent the long, beautiful sum- 
mer months. When October had painted 
the foliage in gorgeous coloring we went 
far away over the sea, and wandered about 
foreign lands, seeing, marveling, and enjoy- 
ing as we can do but once in a lifetime. A 
year slipped by before we knew where it had 
gone. Then we made our w^ay up to Dresden, 
and there our little Heartsease came to live 
with us. We thought we had been happy 
85 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 

before, but we had not known what happi- 
ness meant. Somehow, we grew to love 
that quaint old city, and lingered on year 
after year, until our little German-born 
daughter was just your age, my dear,^’ and 
Mr. Marion laid his hand upon Besses head 
with a wonderfully tender gesture. ‘‘ Then 
we thought it high time that we should visit 
her fatherland, and turned our faces toward 
home. From photographs sent to us from 
time to time, we knew of every change made 
here, and Heartsease was no stranger to her 
fathers old home, and longed to be in it. 
Some time before the date set for our return 
to America, a beautiful kitten had been 
given to Heartsease, and they were almost 
inseparable, for she loved cats even as you 
do. She had named it Kameradchen , — 
little comrade — and comrades they truly 
were. Well, we started upon our home- 
ward voyage, filled with hopes and joys too 
sweet to name; too sweet for this world, I 
86 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


fear, for they were destined never to be 
realized. You will hardly remember the 
great ship which went to the bottom of the 
sea that fatal year, carrying with her nearly 
every soul on board, and desolation into 
many a home. Fog, fog, fog ! May I never 
again witness such a sight ! ” and a shudder 
passed over him. 

We do; oh, we do remember it! It 

was the cried Bert, but Bess only 

clasped her hands tightly together and 
looked into Mr. Marion’s face. As though 
the look recalled him, he continued : 

It would have been better had the waves 
claimed me also, but I was dragged from 
them unconscious, but clinging to me with 
the strength of despair was Kamerad- 
cJien. She had been in Heartsease’ arms 
as I held her in my own, hoping for rescue. 
My wife had been carried from the ship by 
the first officer, but neither was saved. I 
do not know when Heartsease slipped from 
87 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


me, — I knew nothing more until I opened 
my eyes in the lifeboat and Kameradchen 
was mewing piteously on my bosom. Shall 
I tell you any more? Need I? Kamerad- 
chen is all that is left to me ; all that is left 
of the happy life which made my own a joy 
from morning until night. When I first 
saw you with her I started and almost held 
my breath, for you are very, very like my 
little Heartsease. Like her as she was 
when the sea took her from me; she would 
be seventeen now. She and her mother are 
not parted, thank God. I watched you that 
day from behind the trees. Saw the marine 
battle, overheard your controversy, and 
wondered what the outcome would prove. 
Later I learned, and also discovered who 

you were but here Bess rose to her 

feet and cried: 

And we never suspected ! You are Mr. 

Marion Clarke! And ” She paused 

and gasped as she recalled how freely they 
88 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


had discussed and criticised that gentleman 
upon that eventful day. And, oh ! I said 
such dreadful, dreadful things about you ! I 
was so rude ; so unkind ! Oh, I am so sorry ; 
so terribly sorry, for I never knew, I never 
knew! Dear, dear little Heartsease! ” and 
warm-hearted, impulsive Bess, without 
more ado, dropped upon her knees and rest- 
ing her clasped hands upon her friend’s 
knees, sobbed as though her heart would 
break. Bert’s eyes were full, but he would 
have died rather than let others suspect it, 
and stood with his head turned from them, 
saying in a voice which would quiver in 
spite of him : I don’t see how you can like 
us. It was no end mean of us. Just down- 
right beastly. But you know that we never 
suspected : we really didn’t, yet, — oh, hang 
it, that doesn’t make it a bit better, does 
it? ” and Bert confessed their shortcomings 
manfully. 

Mr. Clarke bent tenderly over the re- 
89 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


morseful little figure before him, gently 
smoothing back the tangled locks, and say- 
ing kindly : 

“ Don’t sob so bitterly, my little girl. I 
was able to look deeper into the character 
behind the impulsive tongue than you 
guessed, and also behind the one underneath 
these blue eyes,” and he laid his hand upon 
Bert’s arm. 

I beg your pardon, sir ! I honestly do,” 
cried Bert, extending his hand. It was 
warmly grasped as Mr. Clarke replied : 

Perhaps I needed waking up, and if I 
have won two such friends at the expense 
of a little plain speaking, I certainly am the 
gainer. Come, little lassie; the shower is 
passed; the tempest is over; the clouds are 
dispersing, and the sun is giving us promise 
of a happy to-morrow,” and he raised Bess 
gently to her feet. 

Sunshine and shower were a part of 
Bess’s nature, although many clouds were 
90 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


needed to bring the shower. As she rose 
to her feet she looked at her friend with 
brimming eyes, even though her lips were 
smiling. 

Extending her hand, she said simply: 

Will you please try to forgive me? I did 
not mean to wound you, and you have been 

so kind to me; so kind, and ” Then a 

new light sprung into her eyes, her hands 
were again clasped and a step taken toward 
him as she asked : “ Did you send it? ” 

Breathlessly, eagerly, she awaited the 
reply. With an odd smile curving his lips 
Mr. Clarke took both the little hands in his 
own, as he asked : Did I follow out the 

details supplied? ” 

This was too much! Two pairs of arms 
were clasped about him ; two pairs of eager 
eyes looked into his ; and two pairs of lips 
formed questions faster than ever lips form- 
ed them before. Did he like it? Did it open 
a new world to this lonely, unhappy man? 

91 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


Off over the water a gorgeous rainbow 
had formed, bridging from the mainland to 
one far-distant island. Standing upon the 
piazza of this home, which would no longer 
lack the sound of joyous young voices, was 
a middle-aged man. On one side of him 
stood a happy-faced girl with her arm about 
his waist, while his arm encircled hers. 
Upon his other side stood a sturdy, frank- 
faced lad, his arm across his kind friend’s 
shoulder, while that friend’s in turn rested 
upon the broad, strong ones which had so 
lately put forth their strength to rescue 
something very precious ; something which, 
although to the world but a cat, was to the 
man all that remained as a tie between his 
present loneliness and an ideal past. 

A happy light shone in his eyes as he 
quoted Byron’s beautiful lines : 

** The evening beam that smiles the clouds away, 

And tints to-morrow with prophetic light ! ” 


92 


TED AND HIS “SER- 


GEANT” 














TED AND HIS ‘^SER- 
GEANT” 

CHAPTER I 

THE SERGEANT IS INTRODUCED 

‘‘"1% T AMMA, are you going out this 
-LtA horrid day? ” asked a little girl 
who stood with her face pressed close to a 
window pane, upon the outer side of which 
the rain-drops were beating and forming 
tiny rivulets which made their way to the 
ledge below, there to form into little icy 
hummocks. It was, indeed, a “ horrid 
day,^^ of the sort to make one feel far more 
inclined to take one’s seat in a low chair be- 
fore a cheerful open fire, to do a bit of sew- 
ing, or read an interesting book, than to 
95 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


wrap one’s self in storm clottiing and start 
out into the icy streets. 

“ I think I must, dear. Mrs. Burd will 
be keenly disappointed if I fail her; and 
you know she has so little to make her 
happy.” 

I know it, mamma; but it is such a 
dreadful day, and so terribly icy that I am 
afraid you will fall. Just see the side- 
walks, and look at the trees in the Park; 
they are all coated over with ice.” 

No, indeed, I’ll not fall. See how rough 
my overshoes are on the bottom, and my 
mackintosh will keep me perfectly dry. 
So, good-by, little treasure,” and Mrs. 
Heath stooped to kiss the pretty upturned 
face. 

“ Good-by till luncheon, big ‘ treasure,’^'” 
and the little girl clasped her arms tightly 
about her mother’s neck, after which she 
went to the window of the apartment to 
wave a “ good-by ” when her mother should 
96 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


cross to the opposite side of the street, as 
Ruth knew she would. 

A few moments later the sweet-faced 
mother looked up to the window to smile 
a farewell and to throw a kiss in return for 
the one thrown by the little girl, and started 
briskly down the icy street. 

It was a cheerless enough morning; 
horrid ’’ scarcely expressed it, for the cold 
was of the penetrating sort that seemed to 
chill one’s very marrow; and as the rain 
fell, it formed an icy coating upon every- 
thing. New York under such conditions 
is not a pleasant place ; and people, huddled 
in their wrappings, slipped and slid along, 
expecting each instant to measure their 
lengths upon the glassy sidewalks. As 
Mrs. Heath reached the avenue from the 
quiet side street in which she dwelt, the 
officer upon the comer came to assist her 
across, for cable cars and vehicles of all 
sorts were clanging and rattling by; the 
97 


STOEIES OF ANIMALS 


gripmen striving to control their cars, which 
slipped and slid along the ice-coated rails, 
and the drivers of the vehicles either saving 
and helping the poor struggling beasts 
which drew them, or else cruelly lashing 
them, as the temperament of the individual 
prompted. 

It^s a bad mornin’, it is, ma^am, and 
hard thravelin^ for man and baste,” said 
the policeman, as he took Mrs. Heath’s 
arm to pilot her safely through the 
maze. 

It is, indeed, Patrick, and cruelly hard 
for those who are not properly clad and 
shod. Are your little ones well and snug 
this cold day? ” 

“Thanks be, they are; but there’s many 
that’s not.” 

“ I’m afraid there are, and I wish I could 
relieve them,” replied Mrs. Heath. 

“ It’s many ye’ve relaved alriddy, thin, 
both man and baste; may the saints bless 
98 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


ye/’ and the officer touched his hat as he 
turned back. 

As he left her, Mrs. Heath caught sight 
of a small dog which sat shivering at the 
edge of the sidewalk. The poor little beast 
was the very picture of misery ; he was soak- 
ing wet, the water dripping from his shaggy 
hair, falling in puddles around him. He 
seemed too frozen and wretched to get out 
of the way of the people, and sat lifting first 
one foot, and then the other, as though the 
intense cold of the icy pavement was almost 
beyond his endurance. Starved and frozen, 
he presented a picture which it would seem 
must appeal to the stoniest of hearts. 
Quick to sympathize with misery, whether 
in human being or in brute, Mrs. Heath 
stopped to si>eak to the shivering animal, 
and, as though he instantly recognized a* 
friend, the poor little creature crawled 
toward her and uttered a pathetic whine. 
Stooping down she patted the little soaked 
'L.ofC. 99 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


head and was struck by the beauty of the 
soft eyes which looked at her so intelligently 
from beneath the shock of hair above them. 

Poor little beastie ! Poor little chap ! 
I wish I could take you with me, for cer- 
tainly you need help, if ever an animal did,^^ 
she said, as he crept closer and closer to her. 
“ But I can^t,’’ she continued, for they 
won’t let me keep you in my home, and I 
don’t know where to send you.” She stood 
looking at the little helpless beast with an 
expression almost as wretched as his. 

Meanwhile, the policeman had crossed 
the street, and, turning to glance back, saw 
what was taking place. 

“ Faith, an’ aint that jist loik her! ” he 
exclaimed ; there niver was man, woman, 
choild, nor baste that didn’t foind out the 
koind heart av her the very minit they 
clapped their two eyes upon her.” 

Crossing back to where Mrs. Heath still 
stood, with the little beast crouching beside 
100 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


her, he said : Here, come along wid me, 

ye dhrippin^ curmudgeon, and don’t be 
kapin’ a lady sthandin’ there in the rain to 
console ye.” 

Does he belong to you, Patrick? ” 

Indade, an’ he does not. Oi’d not have 
the loiks av him, even if Oi must own that 
he hails from the Ould Counthry.” 

Is he an Irish terrier? ” 

He is that ; an’ he may have been a f oin 
wan before he came down on his luck.” 

Poor little thing, I wish I could do 
something for him, but I can’t just now. 
Can you keep him with you until I return? 
Then, perhaps, I may be able to do some- 
thing.” 

Shure, I can that, if he’ll bide ; and if he 
knows which side his bread’s buttered, he’ll 
do that same.” 

Very well, I shall be back in about two 
hours.” Mrs. Heath started up Columbus 
Avenue and soon reached the home where 


101 


STOKIES OF ANIMALS 


she spent two hours in reading aloud to a 
friend into whose life perpetual darkness 
had come. When she was on her way home, 
she wondered if Patrick had been able to 
keep the dog in charge, and on reaching the 
corner, she found the policeman pacing up 
and down with the little beast close to his 
heels. 

Here we are, ma’am, doin’ the bate, ye 
see,” he said, and now what in the world 
will ye be doin’ wid me Sergeant? ” 

“ I shall take him to our apartment and 
feed and warm him first, and then think of 
a home for him. What he needs now is a 
dry coat and a dish of warm milk. Will 
you come with me. Sergeant? ” The dog 
took a few steps toward her, and then 
stopped and looked questioningly at the 
policeman. 

“ Go along wid the lady, ye young idjit. 
It’s betther off ye’ll be than iver before in 
ajl yer born days.” 


102 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


As though this settled the matter, the dog 
trotted stiffly beside Mrs. Heath, who talked 
to him encouragingly, and was rewarded by 
a wag of the stumpy tail. A moment later 
she reached her apartment, and ushering 
the Sergeant in ahead of her, coaxed 
him up the two flights of stairs. As she 
neared the top a voice called : 

“ Whom are you talking to, mamma? Is 
someone coming with you?” 

Yes, a police officer whom I picked up 
in the street because he was half frozen. 
What do you think of him? ” 

Oh ! How did you get him? Who is he 
for? May I keep him? ” 

Sergeant^s story was soon told, and then, 
as Patrick had said, he began to learn 
upon which side his bread was buttered.” 
As soon as Mrs. Heath had laid aside her 
wet wraps the maid was summoned, and in 
a very brief space of time the Sergeant was 
treated to a warm bath. He submitted with 


103 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


a surprisingly good grace, and as soon as 
he was thoroughly dried gave every possible 
evidence of delight at his improved condi- 
tion. A bowl of warm milk completed his 
happiness, and when the last drop had van- 
ished, he deliberately walked up to his bene- 
factress and, laying his head upon her knee, 
looked up at her with his eloquent eyes and 
uttered a low whine. 

Oh, mamma ! he is thanking you, isn’t 
he? ” cried the little girl, as she leaned over 
to stroke the soft, silky head. It looked very 
unlike the scraggy, forlorn one that had 
sneaked into the apartment an hour before, 
and the apprehensive look which the eyes 
had then worn had now given place to one 
of intense love and gratitude. 

Dear old fellow, you are happier now, 
aren’t you? Well, we will see what can be 
done to keep you so. But a good rest will 
be your best medicine now. Run and get 
the old afghan, darling, and we will make 
104 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


him a bed right here on the hearth by the 
open fire, and let him have a long sleep; 
I dare say it has been many a day since he 
has had one,” said Mrs. Heath. 

Ruth flew to do her mothePs bidding, and 
a few moments later very distinct canine 
snores testifled to the fact that the Sergeant 
was taking the medicine prescribed for him. 

And thus the Sergeant was introduced. 
His former history was never learned, but 
his future was destined to be an eventful 
one. Even in the brief time he remained in 
the apartment he became Ruth’s devoted 
slave and attached himself to her like a 
burr. When the weather cleared toward 
evening, she took her charge out for an air- 
ing. At flrst he seemed strongly disinclined 
to go, evidently fearing that his hours of 
peace and prosperity were to be brought to 
an abrupt end. But much coaxing and 
kindness at length prevailed, and he fol- 
lowed her down the stairs, occasionally 
105 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


stopping to glance back at Mrs. Heath, who 
stood at the top, as though her voice, which 
had been first to speak a kind word, was 
the one most to be relied upon. 

But no amount of persuasion could in- 
duce him to leave the block, and the agility 
with which he skipped through the front 
door the very instant it was opened for him, 
proved that there had been some grave mis- 
givings in the dog^s mind as to whether so 
blissful a lot was in store for him. 

The following day a plain leather collar 
was bought, and on the nickel plate was en- 
graved the one word, Sergeant.’^ 

It was something astonishing to witness 
his metamorphosis, for even in the three 
days which he spent in his new home he 
completely put off his hang-dog” street 
manners, and adapted himself to his new 
surroundings as though born and bred to 
them ; which, perhaps, he had been. 

Feeling sure that serious objections 
106 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


would be raised to his presence in the apart- 
ment, Mrs. Heath went at once to the land- 
lord to explain matters, and to state that in 
the course of a day or two she would find 
the dog another home. With this end* in 
view she took him a few days later to the 
“ Shelter ” at One Hundred and Second 
Street and East River, requesting that he 
be cared for until such time as a good home 
could be found for him, and there she left 
him, expecting never again to lay eyes upon 
the little Irishman from whom she felt it 
was high time to part, as both she and Ruth 
were already becoming too warmly attached 
to him to make parting easy. She little 
dreamed when and where she was again 
destined to meet him, or amid what stirring 


107 


scenes. 


CHAPTER II 

DISPUTED OWNERSHIP 

M any months had slipped away since 
the Sergeant had been taken to the 
Animal Shelter/’ and Mrs. Heath and 
Ruth often wondered how their little pro- 
tege was getting along in the home which 
the “ Shelter ” had found for him soon after 
they placed him there. After he had been 
there about three weeks they learned that 
he had been adopted ” by someone about 
to leave the city for a home somewhere in 
New Jersey, but in what part they never 
learned, and, except as a memory, the Ser- 
geant passed out of their lives. But not out 
of ours, for we next find him figuring as a 
very plump “ apple of discord.” 

108 


STOEIES OF ANIMALS 


He is Ted’s, too ! How darst you say 
he aint? ” 

I darst, and he aint neither. He be- 
longs to Dick Sayre, for he told me he did 
when I was down here last year.” 

I don’t care a cent what he told you 
last year. He’s Ted’s now, and that’s 
straight, for he gave him to him when he 
went back to New York last fall, and he’s 
had him ever since,” cried the first speaker 
hotly, and with such a fine disregard for the 
position of his pronouns that it left his 
hearer in blissful doubt as to whether it 
had been Ted ” or the other “ him ” which 
had been bestowed upon the third him,” 
and the reader is probably in the worst 
muddle of all. 

The speakers were two lads of about 
twelve and fourteen years of age who were 
standing with several others near a seaside 
railroad station, and the him ” which was 
causing the lively discussion was a small 
109 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 

Irish terrier squatting upon the plat- 
form. 

As though he was trying to comprehend 
the cause of the disturbance, his bright, in- 
telligent eyes were turned first on one and 
then on the other ; while one black ear, with 
its fringe of silky hair, stood straight up, 
and its mate fiopped over as though giving 
evidence of the divided opinion of its owner. 

As the word “ Ted ” was pronounced, the 
alert ear became more than ever alert; but 
when the dispute waxed hotter, its mate 
took on an even more dejected fiop. 

Don’t you see how he acts when I say 
Ted’s name, and who do you think taught 
him all his tricks? ” 

“ How’d I know he knew any tricks, do 
you suppose? I aint seen him do ’em. 
Better show him off, if he’s so mighty 
smart.” 

Now, look a-here, Ray Stannard, if you 
can’t take my word for it, you can’t take 
110 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


nothin’; for I aint goin’ to let any feller 
stand up and as good as tell me I tell 
lies.” 

I didn’t say you told lies! But that dog 
belonged to Dick Sayre when I left here last 
summer, and he said then that he wouldn’t 
part with him for nothin’.” 

“ Well, neither he did; for Ted gave him 
his bike lantern for him. Ted always 
wanted him, and when Dick’s mother said 
she wouldn’t let him take him up to New 
York when she made up her mind to spend 
the winter there, he cut up awful. But it 
didn’t do a bit of good; she wouldn’t let 
him, and then Ted said he’d like to have him. 
He was ’most tickled to death to get him, 
too, for he always wanted him. Then pretty 
soon everybody went away from the shore, 
and Ted took the dog up to Philadelphia 
and kept him all winter. We don’t live in 
flats in Philadelphia, so we can keep dogs, 
and take care of them, too.” 

Ill 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


The high and mighty tone in which this 
fact was announced proclaimed in Franklin 
West Hampton a stanch champion of the 
City of Brotherly Love/^ 

“ Hi ! Frank, give it to him, and three 
cheers for your cracked old Liberty Bell ! ” 
shouted a red-headed youth who had ar- 
rived upon the scene just in time to over- 
hear the last speech, and snatching off his 
scrap of a cap, he gave it a toss in the air, 
expecting to catch it upon his head as it de- 
scended. But his plan miscarried, for ere 
the cap could light upon the brilliant ob- 
ject intended for it, a baseball bat whizzed 
over the heads of the lads and sent it flying 
into the middle of the road. What saved 
the head was a mystery, for the bat swung 
perilously close, and, as the owner turned 
sharply around, he nearly fell into the arms 
of a sturdy young man arrayed from crown 
to sole in baseball toggery, which, to judge 
from its color, had seen service. 

112 


STOKIES OP ANIMALS 


He was a handsome fellow and gave evi- 
dence of healthy outdoor life; for he was 
tanned brown as a berry, and the cheeks 
had a healthy glow which told of the warm, 
red blood flowing under the skin. 

“ Here, you kids, what are you all rowing 
about, anyhow? ” he cried, as he caught one 
lad up in his strong arms and calmly de- 
posited him upon the gutter running along 
the edge of the low roof of the station. 

Meantime, the small dog had nearly 
twisted himself inside out with delight, and 
had barked till he was hoarse. 

He said ” “No, I didn’t, I 

“ Yes, you did too' ” “ Yes, he did ! 

Yes, he did ! ” cried half a dozen voices all at 
once, until pandemonium reigned. 

“ Oh, hold on, half a dozen of you, and 
then maybe I’ll know what one’s getting at. 
What is it, Frank?” 

“ Is that dog yours, or isn’t he? ” de- 
manded Frank, pointing to the terrier. 

113 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


Mine? Well, I should like to know 
whose he is, if he isn’t mine ! ” 

“ Well, Ray Stannard sticks to it that he 
is Dick Sayre’s, and I was just thinkin’ I’d 
have to punch him to make him believe he 
is yours, when you came along to settle it.” 

“ Now, see here, my doubting Thomas, 
just let me prove my ownership to this pup 
to your whole and entire satisfaction. Just 
squat yourselves right down here on your 
hunkers, you kids, and use your eyes and 
ears like little men. Sergeant,” to the dog. 
Attention I ” and up rose the dog upon his 
hind legs. “ Present arms ! ” and the dog 
stuck his forefeet straight before him. 
“ That’s as near as he can come to arms; 
see the point, my sons? Right about face; 
forward, march ; double quick — and — 
charge on that cap yonder, and fetch it here 
mighty quick. Those may not be just mili- 
tary orders, but I want that cap/’ 

Off hopped the Sergeant until the cap 
114 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


was reached, and then, evidently conclud- 
ing that at this point his commanding offi- 
cer’s military orders had ceased, he came 
down on all-fours, and, pouncing upon Sir 
Carrot-top’s cap, snatched it up, and with 
a joyous shake rushed back with it to his 
master. 

“ You do credit to your training, my son. 
Dost still doubt, Thomas? Then behold my 
greater proof: Sergeant, I’ve a sneaking 
notion that I need some baccy. Take this 
quarter upon the tip of your velvety tongue, 
and hie thee over to Mr. O’Brien, beyant, 
and ask him to give you a package of Yale 
Mixture. Do you mind what I’m saying? 
Very good. Here is the pipe — observe 
closely,” and he drew from his pocket a 
small brier- wood pipe — and yonder is the 
emporium for the weed. Begone ! ” 

During all this harangue the dog had sat 
upon the platform and wriggled with ex- 
citement. First one foot and then the other 


115 


STOKIES OP ANIMALS 


was lifted, and the stump of a tail was 
nearly shaken off. Both ears were sticking 
straight up, and the intelligent eyes fairly 
spoke. At sight of the pipe he could wait 
no longer, but spun around like a top. The 
young man then held the quarter toward 
him, and, snatching it, he tore across the 
road and vanished around the corner. 

Too astonished for further comment the 
boys just stood and waited developments. 
They had not long to wait, for in about three 
minutes back came the Sergeant tightly 
clutching a small parcel, which he carefully 
deposited at his master^s feet. 

Now, my friend, we will see whether 
your intelligence can determine the differ- 
ence between baccy and bologna. Ah! ’tis 
well ; its fragrance proclaims its worth ; so 
much cannot be said for the bologna. 
Thomas, art convinced?^’ and, after giving 
the boys a good-natured mauling, he reached 
down and picked up the dog. 

116 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


We’re ‘ bunkies,’ aren’t we, Sergeant? 
Come on, then,” and flopping the dog across 
his shoulders so that its hind legs dangled 
behind, he started off; a comical enough 
sight, for the little beast’s legs flapped 
wdldly abont, and their owner turned again 
and again to make laps at the face so close 
to his own. 

Now, look here, Sergeant, I object to 
this salivatory love-making, as you have be- 
fore heard me remark, and when I need a 
bath. I’ll take a dip in the mighty Atlantic 
out yonder. So come along down and 
control your transports,” and he re- 
stored his squirming friend to terra 
firma. 

Evidently quite satisfled to be upon his 
own lively legs again, the Sergeant exe- 
cuted a sort of tarantelle, and then rushed 
off after a bird which was hopping tantaliz- 
ingly near him. 

Oh, I say, Ted ! Ted ! ” a voice just then 
117 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


shouted, “hold on a minute, will you? 
Heard the news? ” 

Ted wheeled sharply around and replied : 

“No; what news? 

“ Why, they^ve done for Canovas over 
there in Spain. I say, things are getting 
pretty hot, aren’t they? ” 

“By George! you don’t say so? Here, 
let me see the paper.” Catching the 
evening paper from his friend’s hand, he 
began to read the extra printed in large 
type at the top. 

“ Well, do you know things are getting 
serious? First thing they know they’ll have 
Uncle Sam putting in his oar. If they 
starve out a few more of those poor wretches 
down there in Cuba it ’ll be about time they 
were taught a lesson, and when it is taught, 
they’ll remember it as long as they live.” 

“ Wonder who will be the next applicant 
for assassination? Don’t think I should 
like to be in his boots. It’s one thing to go 
118 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


out and take your chance in a fair fight, and 
quite another to find six inches of cold steel 
punched into you. What a hot-headed set 
they are, anyhow,” said his friend. 

If they will only get Weyler out of Cuba 
I believe half the fuss will be over. That 
man is a brute ! ” said Ted. 

1^11 bet you a fiver that before this time 
next year there’ll be some lively times, and 
the United States will be right ^ in it,’ too, 
my son.” 

Shouldn’t wonder, and that will mean 
you and me, too, old man; do you know 
that? ” said Ted, with rather a serious ex- 
pression on his face. 

Oh, nonsense ; if the U. S. get into the 
mess, they’ll send the ships, and they’ll do 
things up in great shape for them in no time. 
What do they want of us? ” 

Wait and see. Ships can’t do it all. It 
will take troops too; see if it doesn’t.” 

Well, then, they will send the regulars.” 

119 


STOEIES OF ANIMALS 


“Maybe; but there’ll be volunteers as 
well, or my name’s not Ted Hampton,” and 
they walked on with arms thrown across 
each other’s shoulders and heads bent over 
the newspaper. 

As though depressed by his master’s seri- 
ous tone and expression of face. Sergeant 
slunk in behind his heels, and with lowered 
tail and dejected air paced along behind 
him. 

But life was young with all three, and, 
ere many minutes had passed, other topics 
crowded out thoughts of the sufferings of 
our Cuban neighbors and the volcanic 
state of the Spanish government. 

The two friends made their way back to 
the cottage near the beach where Ted’s fam- 
ily were spending the summer, and the lines 
in the paper were soon forgotten, for 
thoughts are apt to be fleeting when one is 
but twenty and life is filled with sunshine. 

But it was the last year which Ted, just 
120 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


freed from college life and enjoying to tlie 
full the freedom which his summers vaca- 
tion was giving him, ere he ‘^took up his 
grind,” as he expressed it, in his father’s 
law office in the fall, was destined to know 
for some time. 


121 


CHAPTER III 


COMPANY K’S MASCOT ” 

O, old man, you can’t come and it’s 



no use to beg. Things will be too 
hot up there for you,” and the speaker 
stooped down to stroke the head of the small 
Irish terrier which was tied to a tree in 
front of a tent. The dog looked at him with 
almost human intelligence and uttered a 
low whine. At that instant the order was 
given to fall in, and a moment later the men 
were in their places. When the command 
was given and they marched away, the dog 
became nearly frantic, and yelped and cried 
most piteously. 

Look out for him, Tom, will you? 
Don’t let him get away, if you can help it. 


122 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


and, if I don^t turn up again, get him back 
home somehow,’^ said the young private, as 
he passed the surgeon’s tent, and spoke to 
one of his comrades on duty there. 

“ I’ll do my best, Ted ; but I’m likely to 
have something besides a dog to think of,” 
and he nodded a farewell as he turned to 
enter the tent. The dog continued to yelp 
and whine, but at last seemed to give up in 
despair. Throwing himself upon the 
ground, he buried his face in his paws. To 
a casual observer he seemed to have fallen 
asleep, but every now and again a low 
moaning cry and a quiver of the body gave 
proof that the dog brain was still active, 
and the dog heart still longing for the be- 
loved master. 

Meanwhile, that master had little time 
to think of the faithful friend from whom 
he had never been separated since the day 
a bicycle lantern had purchased him. 

The troops were just boarding the trans- 
123 


STOKIES OP ANIMALS 

port which would convey them to Cuba 
when a dirty and bedraggled specimen of 
dogdom had cast himself in a squirming, 
wriggling heap at the feet of one of the sol- 
diers. Before his master could utter a word, 
a dozen voices had cried : 

A mascot ! A mascot for Company K ! 
Three cheers for the pup ! He’s Ted Hamp- 
ton’s Sergeant, and he’s true to his man ! ” 
So the Sergeant was installed. During 
the voyage he had been the idol of the com- 
pany, and soon knew each one by name. 

At length Came the day of Santiago’s fall. 
The cost was severe ; many a brave lad who 
had faced the cruel Spanish fire would never 
again return to the United States, and many 
more lay in a pitiable state upon the ground. 

At one place upon the outskirts of the 
field, and at a point to which he had been 
sent to cut away the barbed-wire fence, lay 
a soldier who had apparently given his life 
in the performance of his duty, for he still 
124 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


grasped the heavy cutting nippers. It was 
a dangerous post, directly in the line of the 
fire from the blockhouse, and needed a 
steady hand and strong nerve to attempt it. 
But the duty had been faithfully performed, 
as the cut and twisted wire testified, and the 
performer had paid dearly for his courage. 
Night was approaching, and ere long the 
sudden darkness which falls in tropical 
regions would envelop everything. Search- 
ing parties had been out for hours looking 
for the wounded, but, concealed as he was 
by the tall grasses, it was no ^vonder that 
the soldier who had cut the wires escaped 
notice. 

Hour after hour passed until midnight 
was announced by the solemn tolling of a 
distant bell. As the sound died away there 
was a soft patter in the grass, followed a 
moment later by the panting of an ani- 
mal. In the inky darkness no one 
could have told what sort of beast was 
125 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


prowling about and running hither and 
thither in such an aimless way. Presently 
the sound ceased altogether. Then came a 
series of short bounds and yelps, and a dog 
flung itself upon the silent figure with the 
wildest demonstrations of joy, which almost 
instantly changed to pitiful whines and low 
moans, as he began to lick the man’s face 
and hands. 

When this failed to bring a response, the 
little creature placed its fore paws upon the 
man’s chest, and, throwing its head back, 
uttered the most heart-rending howls. 

At this the man’s eyelids quivered slightly 
and half opened, and the lips partly mur- 
mured the one word : Ser ” 

It was enough! Dear little Sergeant 
wanted no more, and his joy was boundless. 
But neither cries nor caresses could win 
another sound, and the poor dog was again 
in despair. Then, evidently bethinking him- 
self that cries could do little good, he at last 
126 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


seemed to decide upon another means of giv- 
ing the needed aid, and ran off in the direc- 
tion of the blockhouse. But there all bore 
the silence of death, and with a sort of whin- 
ing cry he returned to his charge. 

That something must be done, and that 
right speedily, seemed evident to the dog, 
and if ever an animal thinks — and who can 
for one moment doubt it — he did then. 

Coming close to the silent figure he 
sniffed at the clothing, and at last finding 
the pocket of the campaigning shirt, he care- 
fully drew from it the handkerchief it con- 
tained. He could not have chosen more 
wisely had human intelligence guided, for 
the significant stains upon it told only too 
plainly of the ownePs condition. 

With a final lick upon the dear face, he 
snatched the handkerchief from the ground 
and started down the hill as hard as he 
could tear. 

It was, perhaps, two hours later that 
127 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


dirty, mud-splashed, and exhausted, he 
rushed into the surgeon’s tent and deposited 
the tell-tale handkerchief at the feet of the 
man whom Ted had addressed as Tom, and 
then dropped gasping beside it. 

Rushed as he was with the serious work 
on hand, the man exclaimed : 

By all that’s wonderful, it’s the Ser- 
geant back again! Well, after he gnawed 
his rope and skipped, I never expected to 
lay eyes on him again. What’s this you’ve 
found, old man? You seem to have been in 
the scrimmage yourself, to judge by your 
looks,” and he stopped to pick up the hand- 
kerchief. 

In one corner were the initials T. V. H., 
and as the man caught sight of them, he 
cried : 

Ted’s, by all that’s good ! Where is he, 
Sergeant? ” 

The dog jumped to his feet and barked. 

‘‘ Yes, where is he, old fellow? Come on 
128 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


with me and we’ll find him,” and, going out 
of the tent, he said to some of the men : 

“ Boys, the Sergeant has brought us a 
message from Ted, and to judge from its 
appearance, he needs us, and needs us right 
off too. Fetch along a stretcher, two of you, 
and follow the Sergeant and me. Find him. 
Sergeant; find Ted.” 

By this time the dog had somewhat re- 
covered his breath, and, instantly compre- 
hending what was wanted, he dashed off 
toward Santiago. 

Here, hold on ; come back, or we’ll lose 
you, too,” called Tom; and taking a bit of 
string from his pocket he slipped it through 
the dog’s collar. Dawn was breaking when 
they at last reached the spot where Ted lay, 
and none too soon. Tenderly lifting their 
unconscious comrade, they placed him upon 
the stretcher, then saying: 

Here, you won’t add much to the weight, 
and you’ve made a good many miles to-day, 
129 


STOKIES OF ANIMALS 


if I’m not mistaken,” Tom lifted the tired 
little dog and laid him upon the stretcher be- 
side Ted, adding as he did so : “ Now, don’t 
you stir, but mount guard; do you hear? ” 

The Sergeant crouched down close to Ted, 
and did not move a muscle, but the elo- 
quent eyes gave evidence that he under- 
stood. 

For weeks it seemed as though the Ser- 
geant’s faithfulness had been in vain; but 
at last Ted began to mend, and then the Ser- 
geant outdid himself. As a self-constituted 
foraging party of one he was a great suc- 
cess, and although often more zealous than 
wise in his desire to provide dainties, he 
rarely failed to bring one of some sort and 
place it upon Ted’s cot. It might be a bird, 
it might be a piece of hard-tack, and once it 
was a plump rat. But the love which 
prompted the act was so very marked that 
even the rat was not disposed of till the Ser- 
geant’s back was turned. 

130 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 

To bring Ted his letters was the joy of the 
dog’s heart, and a dozen times a day would 
he rush into the mail tent, and, sitting up 
on his hind legs, beg for a letter. Many 
times the officer in charge would roll up an 
old newspaper and give it to the dog, who, 
delighted to have been successful, instantly 
carried it to Ted. 

He was the idol of the company, and when 
at last they returned home, the Sergeant, ar- 
rayed in a splendid silver collar and a gor- 
geous blanket, with the company’s letter 
blazoned thereon, was nearly as important 
as the colonel himself, and when it came 
time for his positively last appearance,” 
he excited nearly as much applause. 


131 


CHAPTEE IV 


HAIL TO THE CHIEF! 

“rr^HEY’RE coming! They’re coming! 

JL Hurrah for Dewey ! Hurrah ! Hur- 
rah ! Hurrah ! ” yelled the crowd which 
thronged Fifth Avenue’s sidewalks, win- 
dows, doorsteps, seats, and every available 
inch of space. Here they come ! Here 
they come! Here come the West Point- 
ers! Here comes Squadron A! Here come 
the Olympiads men and Dewey! Hurrah! 
Hurrah ! ” and the crowd shouted until 
it could shout no more. On they swung, 
the vast number of splendid men ! Column 
after column, amidst cheer upon cheer, and 
the wildest enthusiasm of their proud coun- 
trymen. 


132 


STOKIES OP ANIMALS 


No need to tell more. Every American 
who could get there, saw it all; and for 
those who could not, hundreds of illustrated 
newspapers and beautifully illustrated mag- 
azines told it again and again. 

In one of the open windows of a hotel 
near the arch sat a gay party of ladies and 
gentlemen, and with them a little girl, wav- 
ing and cheering hardest of all. 

Owing to the necessary changes in the 
formation of the columns when passing be- 
neath the Dewey Arch at Twenty-third 
Street, there was more or less delay just at 
this point, and many of the regiments were 
forced to halt before reaching it. As they 
did so the weary men grounded their arms, 
and stood at ease. Just in front of the hotel 
stood an infantry regiment, and, as the men 
rested, water was passed to them by col- 
ored men who carried it in large tin 
cans. 

Company K was embroidered upon the 
133 


STOKIES OP ANIMALS 


colors of the company directly under the 
window above mentioned, and as one of the 
soldiers reached to take a glass of water 
from the darky “ cup-bearer,’^ a small dog, 
gayly bedecked in a scarlet blanket, but 
looking completely fagged out, cast himself 
upon the ground at the man’s feet. 

Done up, old man? ” the soldier asked. 

Well, you haven’t much further to pungle 
along. Wish I could get some water for 
you, though,” he said, as he drained the 
glass. At sight of the water, the dog rose 
to his hind feet and began to march like one 
of his comrades. 

Here, give me some more. Sambo,” said 
the soldier to the darky, and, quite unsus- 
picious, the man filled the glass again. 

The soldier took it and, setting it down 
on the pavement, said : “ Fall to, old chap.” 

Here, sah ! What fo’ you gwine ter let 
dat dawg drink out ob dat glass fo’ what I’s 
got ter gib ter de odder mens? ” 

134 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


The soldier did not reply; but the dog, 
having drained the last drop, looked up to 
beg for more. 

Fill it again, Sambo,” he said in a tone 
which left no room for dispute, and 

Sambo ” filled it. 

Taking two dimes from his pocket he gave 
them to the darky, saying, as he did so: 

There, that buys both glass and the water, 
I guess,” and calmly slipped the glass into 
his knapsack, adding as he did so : I’ll 
keep it as a souvenir, Sambo.” Sambo 
looked at him as though he fancied he had 
lost his senses. 

This had been closely observed by the 
party in the window, and just as the order 
was given for the men to fall into rank, the 
child cried out : IFs the Sergeant we 

found, mamma ! It’s the Sergeant ! I know 
it is. Sergeant, Sergeant ! ” she called from 
the window. The dog pricked up his ears in 
an instant, and, uttering two or three short 
135 


STOKIES OF, ANIMALS 


barks, spun around and then rushed to take 
his place at the head of the company. The 
soldier who had given him the water looked 
up to the window and smiled, and then, 
saluting the child, said: 

‘^Yes, little lassie, he is Sergeant, sure 
enough ; and Company K^s ^ mascot,’ and 
my ^ bunkie,’ and we’ve been all through the 
campaign.” 

Three cheers for the Sergeant and his 
bunkie ! ” shouted one of the gentlemen of 
the party, and the cheer was taken up and 
found an echo again and again with the 
happy crowd. 

Not long after this Kuth Heath went with 
her father and mother to one of the Armory 
receptions, and there again found the Ser- 
geant, who, with his company, was being 
entertained by the New York regiment; his 
own belonging to William Penn’s State. 
There they learned his eventful history from 
the time they had befriended him, and those 
136 


STOKIES OP ANIMALS 


who read it may believe as much of it as 
they choose. But this I will assert: the 
Sergeant really lived, and, for aught I 
know, still lives and is as frisky as 
ever. 


137 



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A LITTLE DERELICT 




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A LITTLE DERELICT 


CHAPTEE I 

A STRANGE VOYAGE 

HAT a big sea it seemed! Water 



▼ ▼ everywhere, and filled with fioating 
wreckage of every description, as though 
some giant had picked up a city, crushed it 
in his mighty hand, and dropped it into the 
bay. An awesome sight for older eyes, but 
it evidently filled one little being with de- 
light, for she clapped her hands joyously 
and bobbed up and down in her strange boat 
as it rose and fell upon the waves. 

What a story that boat told ! Little had 
its designer dreamed that it would ever 
venture upon such a voyage. A house-boat 
indeed, its very perfection rendering it 


141 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


pathetic, for not an article in it but testi- 
fied to a woman^s gentle touch. The world 
knows the story only too well, and Galves- 
ton will never forget it 

Amidst all the horrors that one house 
fioated perfect, except for the loss of its roof. 
In a second-story room, utterly unaware of 
her peril, and happy as a bird, sat a sunny- 
haired little child; a bonny, bonny little 
maid, laughing and singing to herself as the 
house swayed up and down. A lone little 
waif in God’s great world, floating God only 
knew whither. 

On swayed the house and louder sang the 
child. Presently a queer ramshackle boat 
drew near. It looked as though it must 
swamp the next moment, but was no more 
forlorn than the half-clad boy who paddled 
it with an old piece of board, for both had 
evidently encountered rough weather. He 
was peering anxiously around him and soon 
neared the floating house. The boat was 
142 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


nearly on a level with the second-story 
windows, and as he approached he heard the 
sound of the child^s voice. 

Lawdy me ! ” he cried, who^s a-singin’ 
out in this awful place? 

The child heard him and, springing to her 
feet, executed a funny little dance and 
clapped her hands as she answered : 

Payees a-tingin^ ! Payees a-tingin^ cause 
the house dance so ! 

“ But you mustn’t stay in there ! Will 
you come along in the boat with me? I’ll 
take good care of you, little lady. Is your 
ma in there, too? ” 

No, mother’s done wid big man. Her 
went to sleep wight so, — ” throwing out her 
hands and casting herself face downward 
upon the floor, little realizing all she was 
revealing. Paye runned into the nursery 
to find Juno, and den big man weached 
wight in the windie and picked my little 
mother wight up; he didn’t see Paye. He 
143 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 

looked little mother off in the boat and Juno 
jumped wight out the windie and swimmed 
away after the boat in all the wain and left 
Faye all alone. But Faye not fwaid, little 
mother often leave Faye and Juno, and 
say: ^ Faye be dood dirl till little mother 
turn back.^ And Faye^s been weal dood, but 
she is so so hungwry.’^ 

The boy looked at the little beauty as 
though she were a being from another 
world, and said again : 

“ Will you come with me now, and we’ll 
try to find your ma.” 

“ Ess, Faye ’ll turn, but must get Jemima 
first. Touldn’t leave my pwecious child,” 
and running into the nursery she took a 
tattered rag doll from her crib. 

At last all was ready, and pushing off the 
boat, the boy took up his paddle to paddle 
where? He had no home in this great 
world, and hers would soon find an anchor- 
age in the bottom of Galveston Bay. 

144 


CHAPTER II 


NOT A SPARROW SHALL FALL 

T he search for poor Jimmy^s friends 
was soon ended, for, when questioned 
by those who had taken the little voyagers 
in charge after they came ashore, he an- 
swered : Never had none as I knows on. I 
lived along somehow, and when the flood 
came I got into the old boat and paddled 
around to see what I could And, and I found 
the little lady almost the fust thing.^^ 

From Faye they could learn but little; 
she was ‘‘just Faye; papa^s and little 
mother’s sweetheart,” and told them the 
same story she had already told Jimmy. 

So nothing remained for little Faye but 
“ Jemima,” and her “ Dimmie,” from whom 
145 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 

she positively declined to be separated. 
Poor little Jimmy, a small knight errant 
upon the face of God^s great world, home- 
less, and alone, yet one of His little ones. 

It was difacult, notwithstanding the aid 
from outside sources, to find a home for the 
children, but at last a place was found for 
them at an orphan asylum in the northern 
part of the State, and after a few days they 
were placed there, and soon other duties 
came to crowd out all the memory of them. 
It was a bitter enough change for both, 
although from entirely different stand- 
points. For the child bred in affection and 
luxury the change was cruel indeed, while 
to the boy, accustomed to perfect freedom, 
it was the life of a caged bird. 

Moreover, without fully appreciating the 
reason, he was keenly alive to Faye’s un- 
happiness, and, after witnessing it for four 
months, resolved to put an end to it if it 
were possible to do so. A northern Texas 
146 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 

winter was now upon them, and one after- 
noon, during one of the brief moments he 
could steal to be with his idol, he* laid his 
plans for her release, as well as his own. 
Hidden behind the great stove in the hall, 
with Faye held close in his arms, he laid his 
plan like a little general, and ere many 
hours passed they were carried into effect. 

The empty cattle cars jolted onward, the 
engine puffing and struggling to drag the 
long train over the snow-covered tracks. 
The air was filled with whirling fiakes, and 
the cold intense. Huddled in the comer of 
one car was a freight of which the car own- 
ers little recked. Two small figures rolled 
up in an old blanket gave little heed to 
schedule time, for freedom made even the 
untidy car attractive. They were eating a 
luncheon, fmgal to the last degree. At 
least one was; the other was saying: 

^‘Eat it every bit, Faye; Dimmie aint 
147 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


hungry. We’re most there, I reckon, and I 
wouldn’t wonder if papa and little mother 
was a- waitin’ for us.” 

It had been a long ride to Jimmy, who had 
fasted and watched that Faye might be 
cared for and fed, for there was nothing 
wrong with her appetite, and she had eaten 
and slept as only a perfectly healthy baby 
can. The supply of food which he had man- 
aged to “ swipe ” from the asylum was now 
consumed, and where their next meal was 
to come from kept poor Jimmy guessing. 
He had laid his plans with wonderful fore- 
thought, taking as Faye’s right all the 
food and covering he could lay hands 
upon. 

Slower and slower crawled the train, and 
at last came to a standstill, side-tracked at 
a little prairie town barely a hundred miles 
south of the big city which lay beyond the 
deep drifts. 

We can’t go no further, Faye, so come 
148 


STOKIES OP ANIMALS 

along with Jimmy. We’ll go up to the town 
over yonder, and maybe they’ll invite us to 
take dinner at the hotel,” said the boy as he 
lifted Faye from the car. 

It is bitter to tell of the return to Gal- 
veston of Faye’s father to find the city in 
ruins, his home swept away, his wife and 
child he knew not where. While North on 
business news of the terrible disaster had 
reached him, and he had hurried South as 
fast as steam could carry him. 

Then followed weeks of almost hopeless 
searching from one end of the city to the 
other, with repeated visits to the site of the 
old home, as though some power which he 
could not withstand led him back to the 
scene of his former happiness. It was dur- 
ing one of these visits, and as he stood gaz- 
ing despairingly at the ruins of his former 
home, that he was startled by a huge St. 
Bernard dog, which sprang upon him with 
wild demonstrations of joy. 

149 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


It was Juno, the pet of the household, 
and little Faye’s constant companion. 

She had never given up her search for 
Faye, but had gone out day after day on her 
quest, and rarely a day passed that she did 
not visit the site of the old home. The 
sagacious creature needed no commands, 
and within half an hour had led Mr. Os- 
borne straight to “ Little Mother’s ” bed- 
side. 

It was many weeks before Mrs. Osborne 
was able to join her husband in the seem- 
ingly hopeless search for Faye, but the 
mother’s heart would not give her up. 
Winter was upon them when rumor at last 
guided them to the asylum, where they 
learned that the children had run away and 
all trace of them had been lost. Jimmy had 
laid his plans only too well. Poor little 
drops in the ocean of humanity, they were 
quickly swallowed up and effectually lost. 

Heart-broken and despairing, they started 
150 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 

for Chicago, Mrs. Osborne’s home, but when 
within a few hours’ ride of it found them- 
selves held prisoners by a Western blizzard 
and forced to take refuge in a small prairie 
town for the night. Comfortable quarters 
were secured in the one hotel the town 
boasted, and after leaving the faithful Juno 
to the care of the clerk for the night, they 
sought their much-needed rest, and there 
we must leave them for a little. 


151 


CHAPTER III 


OLD DOLLY^S DISCOVERY 


“ lOK out, Dolly, or youTl be down! 



JLJ Growing old, old lady? ” cried Dr. 
Sprague to the intelligent mare who, for the 
past twelve years, had served him so faith- 
fully. Dolly replied by an expressive snort, 
shook her head, and refused to advance a 


step. 


What have you come upon, old lass? ” 
he asked, for he had spent so many hours 
upon her back that he had almost grown to 
regard her as a human being, and often 
held long, if rather one-sided, conversations 
with her. 

It was a wild midwinter night, and the 
doctor and his Dolly had traveled many a 


152 


STOIilES OP ANIMALS 

mile since nightfall, and were nearing a 
cozy home and snug stable when she made 
her discovery. He knew her too well to 
urge her forward, so dismounting, felt about 
in the drifts, saying: 

Your scent and sight beat mine, Doll ; 
what is it? Good God ! ” he exclaimed, nor 
did it savor of irreverence. 

Before him, covered with nature^s downi- 
est coverlid, lay two little figures; one 
sound asleep and wrapped in an old blanket, 
the other, poorly clad, and fallen into the 
sleep which erelong would know no wak- 
ing. 

Dolly poked and nosed the little way- 
farers, as though trying to say : 

Wake up! This is no place to sleep on 
such a night. Doctor and I know better 
than that.^^ 

Then she carried a triple burden, and 
an hour later Jimmy opened his eyes in 
a warm, cheerful room to find Faye stand- 
153 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


ing beside him, rosy and fresh as ever, pat- 
ting his cheek and asking in her sweet little 
voice : 

Is you doin^ to wate up now, Dimmie 
dear? 


164 


CHAPTER IV 


^^ALL FOR DIMMIE AND ME'''* 

J UNO, left alone with the hotel clerk, be- 
came very restless, and at last, going up 
to the man, looked at him with her soft, in- 
telligent eyes, and then laid her great paw 
upon his knee. 

He smiled as he asked : Want to go 
out, old girl? Well, go on then, but don’t 
get lost, or I’ll catch fits.” 

It was nearly midnight, but Juno had 
prowled so much of late that it had become 
a habit. She started off upon her exploring 
expedition, and was soon plowing her way 
through the deep snow. Far down the 
street a lamp flickered in the gusts of wind. 
The snow had ceased to fall, but lay in mon- 
155 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


strous drifts. Juno made her way through 
them to the house in front of which the 
light shone, and stalking upon the piazza 
began to sniff about in the way which had 
become her habit. As she reached the front 
door she was greeted by a series of sharp 
barks from within, and a moment later the 
door was opened and a small sky terrier 
literally tumbled through it. 

“ Hello, Peggy, whaPs up? Do you 
think you can eat up that big dog? ’V asked 
a pleasant voice. 

Juno looked at the speaker with her elo^ 
quent eyes, and read, as only children and 
animals can, its owner’s kindly nature. 

Come along in, if you want to ; we seem 
to be rescuing all sorts of wayfarers to- 
night.” 

Juno waved her big plumy tail, entered 
the brightly lighted hall, and stopped short. 
Up went her head, her ears were alert, and 
the next instant she was bounding up the 
156 


STORIES OP 'ANIMALS 


stairs as though gone mad, for just then a 
little voice above cried : 

All for Dimmie and me ! All for Dim- 
mie and me ! ” as the doctoPs wife set two 
bowls of warm milk and big slices of gra- 
ham bread before two nearly famished chil- 
dren. 

Then was that good lady nearly fright- 
ened into fits by a huge St. Bernard dog 
bounding into the room, knocking Faye 
heels over head, and tipping over her bread 
and milk. 

There lay Faye flat upon her back, utterly 
undisturbed by the w^hite sea, with its 
brown islands, in which she floated, while 
Juno with whines of delight licked the 
child’s face and hands, and whimpered over 
her as though she were one of her own pup- 
pies restored to her. 

Faye clasped her arms about the shaggy 
neck and cried in a joyous voice: 


157 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


Juno tummed for Faye! Little Mother 
sent Juno to fetch Faye and Dimmie! ” 
Half an hour later the Doctor rang up 
the sleepy clerk, for Juno had led him 
straight back to the hotel, and ere another 
one had passed Faye was gathered into 
Little Mother’s ” arms. 

No words can describe that meeting. 
Jimmy looked upon it in amazement; 
such joy and intense love were a revelation 
to him. But he was not forgotten, for the 
baby voice which had grown so dear to him 
cried out: 

Take my Dimmie too. Little Mother, 
take my Dimmie, too ! ” and poor little 
Jimmy, who had never known love or home, 
a little derelict on life’s great ocean, was 
drawn into a safe and sheltering harbor 
where he would evermore find protection 
from life’s storms and tempests, and the 
hungry little soul would be filled to over- 
flowing. 


158 


MADGE HARDING’S 
« CURMUDGE ” 



ll 


MADGE HARDING’S 
^‘CURMUDGE” 

PART I 

“ CURMUDGE 

‘ ‘ nVr O ! ^Taint a mite er use ter cry 
and take on; you can’t keep that 
tarnal dog, and that settles it. Where on 
earth did yer git him anyhow? ” 

I found him, Aunt Lucinda, and he is 
so good, and I love him so.” 

‘‘ Then you’d better find somethin’ else 
tew settle yer love onter. There’s ’nough 
sight better things in this world than a 
yaller dog, and — out you go.” The last 
words were addressed to the small, scraggy 
161 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


dog which stood damp and shivering in the 
kitchen door, and begging with all the elo- 
quence of beseeching eyes and a very sug- 
gestive wag of his stubby tail, to be allowed 
to remain indoors. 

As the woman spoke she caught up her 
broom, and instantly dashed any hopes the 
poor beast may have harbored by advancing 
towards him with it raised, as though she 
intended sweeping him out of existence. 
At sight of it the dog fled, and the little girl 
who had spoken in his behalf flung herself 
upon the stiff kitchen chair, crying out in 
a passion of tears: 

** You won^t let me have anything to love 
or pet ! You made Job drown my kitty be- 
cause she lapped the cream off the milk, and 
she wouldn’t have done it if you’d have let 
me feed her; you sent my pet lamb off to 
be killed, and then whipped me because I 
wouldn’t eat her; and you wouldn’t let me 
keep the pigeons Mrs. Knowles gave me 
162 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


’cause they cooed so loud ; and now you are 
driving away my Curmudge just becau'se he 
makes feet-marks on your kitchen, and I 
hate — hate — hate you ! ” the last words 
were uttered in a hysterical shriek, as 
though the poor little soul could endure no 
more. 

Hoity toity, miss ! This is " pretty 
doin’s ! Do you think I’m goin’ to let you 
stand and talk to me this way?” and she 
grasped the child roughly by the shoulder, 
and shook her with no gentle hand. 

I don’t care what you do to me now ; 
I don’t, I don’t, I don’t! I hate to live in 
this place and be scolded all the time for 
just nothing at all. Mamma never scolded 
me when I was home with her, but petted 
and loved me dearly, and loved my kitty, 
too, and let me feed and take care of her. 
And I want my mamma, oh! I want my 
mamma dreadful ! ” and again a wild storm 
of sobs shook the slender frame. 

163 


STOKIES OP ANIMALS 


She was a pretty child, rather delicate- 
looking, for her great blue eyes and golden 
curls, which even close cropping could not 
subdue, gave her a singularly infantile ex- 
pression. But she had a brave, courageous 
spirit hidden away behind the baby face, 
and never hesitated to take the part of the 
oppressed. 

Well, you can’t have your mother, and 
that settles it. If she hadn’t clear spoiled 
yer, / wouldn’t er had all this trouble I’ve 
had fer nigh onter two year, and I’ll be 
thankful ’nough when she an’ yer pa get 
back ter take yer away. You’ve near ’bout 
pestered the life out er me. Are yer goin’ 
ter stop that screechin’, an’ behave yerself, 
I’d like ter know? ” and she gave the child 
another shake. 

The little girl suddenly sprang to her 
feet and, darting to the door, planted her- 
self before it as she cried indignantly : 

I’m not! You may whip me all 
164 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


you want to, you may shake me, and you 
may keep me in the cellar hours, but I will 
love Curmudge, just as I loved my Kitty- 
wink and my Floss and my pigeons ! How 
can you be so cruel? Didn’t you ever love 
anything yourself? I don’t believe you 
even love Uncle Beniah ; you wouldn’t scold 
him all the time if you did.” How the big 
blue eyes flashed as the words poured from 
the child’s mouth! It seemed as though 
she were beside herself with indignation, 
and having endured all it was possible for 
mortal to endure, her soul now arose in re- 
bellion against such injustice. 

Her aunt looked at her in amazement. 
Heretofore the meekest and most submis- 
sive of little creatures, she had proven a 
most gratifying subject for the harsh, irrita- 
ble woman to vent her temper upon, and 
never had she failed to do so upon the 
slightest provocation, or, indeed, no provo- 
cation at all. She had hectored and irri- 


165 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 

tated her sensitive little niece until the 
child^s disposition was in a fair way to be 
utterly ruined. 

When Madge had been placed in her 
aunt’s care two years before, she was as 
sunny a bit of childhood as one could well 
wish for. At seven years of age she had 
never yet learned the meaning of the word 
anger. Her father’s and mother’s idol, she 
had grown up in an atmosphere of love and 
sunshine where truly, “ Joy was duty, and 
love was law,” and in return had given 
a child’s boundless affection. They were 
people of very moderate means, but the 
suburban town of Somerville held no 
sweeter home than theirs. Mr. Harding 
held a Government position, and was 
ordered to South America to remain two 
years. This was shortly after Madge’s 
birthday and it was truly a serious ques- 
tion. To leave his family behind him 
him meant a long separation which he 
166 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 

dreaded to contemplate, but to take Madge 
seemed equally unwise. It was at last de- 
cided to place her with Mr. Harding’s mar- 
ried sister, whose home was in Barnstable, 
and with whom they had every reason to 
suppose the child would be perfectly happy, 
once the shock of separation had passed 
away. Mrs. Moseby was several years 
older than her brother, and he had seen 
very little of her since her marriage, a num- 
ber of years prior to his own. Conse- 
quently, he could not appreciate the change 
which the years had wrought in a disposi- 
tion which had never been considered a 
sweet one by those who knew her best. 
Somehow, Lucinda Moseby seemed to have 
exchanged natures with her brother, for^ 
strange to say, his was as gentle and tender 
as a woman’s, while hers held a vein of 
harshness that was almost cruel. As a 
young girl it had not been so marked, but 
having married a man with more good 
167 


STOEIES OP ANIMALS 


nature than strength of character, she at 
once ruled him, and as the years advanced 
her rule became a petty despotism. Into 
this home, after all had been arranged by 
letter, was Madge brought. Mr. Harding 
and his pretty^wife went with their treasure 
and remained with her two nights, but long 
before the two nights had passed Mrs. 
Harding’s heart misgave her, although she 
bravely refrained from saying anything to 
her husband. She realized that it was now 
too late to make a change, and bade her 
little daughter good-by with a smiling face, 
but with a nearly breaking heart. 

Madge was too sunny to understand the 
chill atmosphere into which she had come, 
and had her aunt not been adamant, she 
could not have resisted the winsome child 
who instantly won the hearts of all upon 
the farm and made her old uncle her slave; 
at least, as much as he dared be. His wife 
never knew what the child’s presence meant 
168 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 

to the lonely, childless man, for she was 
never allowed to witness the little affection- 
ate scenes which took place out in the hay 
fields, or in the big barns. 

Kittywink, the pussy which Madge had 
carried with her from her Somerville home, 
was the little girPs only pet; they were 
never separated till the evil day that Kitty- 
wink, driven desperate by hunger, had found 
the pantry door open and filled herself so 
full that she simply could not stir, and there 
she had been found in her guilt. Nothing 
could have afforded Mrs. Moseby greater 
satisfaction, for the excuse she had long 
wanted was now found; poor Kittywink 
paid the penalty of her misdeed, and Madge 
nearly broke her heart. Her next pet had 
been the lamb, and although her uncle had 
protested when told to send it along with 
the rest which were to be killed, the aunt, 
as usual, had overruled ; she wouldn’t 
stand no sich pesky foolishness,” and poor 
169 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 

<< Floss ” had been served at her little mis- 
tress' table, and the weeping little mis- 
tress had been whipped because she had 
flatly refused to partake of her tender 
flesh. 

The pigeons, too, had made a pie, and by 
that time little goldilocks had begun to 
learn something of the world. 

Then a long interval had passed without 
any pet, when one day the child, now nearly 
nine years old, and about as lonely and for- 
lorn as a child so situated could well be, 
was sent to the town of Barnstable upon an 
errand. As she was returning home a loud 
uproar behind her caused her to turn 
around just in time to have a small yellow 
dog literally plunge into her arms and 
knock her flat. Only one glance was needed 
to explain his terror; a tin can had been 
tied firmly to his tail, and a howling mob 
of boys was behind him. 

Instantly clasping the small, quivering 
170 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


animal in her arms, Madge arose to her feet 
a little fury : 

“Stand back! Stand back! How dare 
you? ” she cried, her eyes flashing Are, “ If 
you come one step nearer 1^11 throw this 
iron stand at you as sure as you live! ” 

“ Hi ! go for her, Tom ; jerk the pup out 
of her arms,” yelled one valiant worthy, as 
he pushed a small youth toward Madge. 

She did not yield an inch, but stood glar- 
ing at her tormentors and holding fast to the 
dog. Such courage could not fail to have its 
effect, and with jeers and gibes the young 
scamps gradually fell back. When the last 
had vanished, Madge put the dog down, and 
carefully untying the can from his tail, soon 
had him coaxed and petted into quiet and 
confidence. Then, placing the string about 
his neck, she led him home. Job, the hired 
man, saw her first, and crying out, “ Hello, 
Madge! Where did you get your curmud- 
geon? had promptly christened the dog. 

171 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


Is that his name? ” asked Madge inno- 
cently. “ How did yon know it, Job? Do 
you know who he belongs to? ” 

Job laughed: “As likely to be that as 
any, aint it? What do you reckon ye be 
a-goin’ ter do with him, anyhow?’’ 

“ I don’t know. Job. I’m afraid Aunt 
Lucinda won’t let me keep him, and I want 
him so much.” 

Job went off toward the barn muttering 
something about “ these durned wimmin 
folks that think they can rule the roost,” 
and Madge, with fear and trembling, fol- 
lowed behind him with her treasure, which 
she tied up in the barn and admonished to 
“ be a good dog and not to make a sound till 
she should come back.” 

For three days she had kept him con- 
cealed, and had managed to feed him with 
scraps she had saved from the food she daily 
carried to the poultry. Then came one of 
the cold, stormy days which so often come 
172 


STOKIES OP ANIMALS 


to New England early in October, and 
Madge not being permitted to go to tbe 
barn, poor Curmudge had been desolate in- 
deed. Job had smuggled his food to him, 
but Curmudge had a soul above scraps when 
they could not be eaten in the presence of 
his adopted mistress. Not a mouthful 
would he eat, and at last, growing des- 
perate, he had gnawed his slender rope and 
rushed to the house. Poor Curmudge ! you 
little guessed the results which were des- 
tined to follow. 

Bounding into the kitchen, he precipitated 
himself into Madge’s lap, whining with joy 
and lapping her face as he wriggled himself 
nearly to bits. He was muddy and wet, 
and the tracks he left upon the freshly 
scrubbed kitchen floor acted upon Mrs. 
Moseby as a red rag does upon a bull. The 
result was the opening scene of this 
story. 

^^You go upstairs to your room, miss,’^ 
US 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


said her aunt, when she had recovered 
from her astonishment, and then went down 
cellar for her mop to wipe up the tracks the 
dog had made. 

Opening the kitchen door, Madge took the 
wet, scraggy dog into her arms, and, kissing 
him, said : 

Don’t you mind, Curmudge. Go out to 
the barn like a good dog and wait for me. 
I’ll come pretty soon,” and then slipped 
back and ran up to her own room, and was 
seen no more that afternoon. Tea-time 
came, but Madge did not appear. Her aunt 
called her from the foo-t of the kitchen 
stairs, but receiving no reply, said: 

“ Humph ! let her have her sulk out. 
Don’t ketch me knucklin’ down to no spile’t 
youngun.” 

Now, Lucinda, hadn’t ye better see what 
ails the leetle creeter? Like ’nough she’ll 
fret herself down sick; she aint over an’ 
above strong.” 


lU 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


You shot up, Beniah Moseby. I guess 
I^m capable o’ managin’ that little spitfire, 
an’ if I aint I don’t want none o’ your 
help,” and Beniah dutifully shet up.” 

By nine o’clock the house was locked up 
for the night and enveloped in darkness. 
Ten struck on the old kitchen clock, and as 
the last stroke died away a small figure 
crept down the back stairs which led into 
the kitchen. The fire in the stove had not 
died out, and the glow of the embers shone 
through the cracks where the lids had been 
left partly open. By the light which was 
thus reflected upon the ceiling Madge made 
her way into the buttery, and finding there 
a good supply from the night’s tea, she 
placed in the satchel she carried a half loaf 
oif bread, some cold meat, and a piece of 
cake, and, returned to the kitchen, she 
pinned upon the table, where it would be 
sure to catch her aunt’s eye, the following 


message : 


175 


STOKIES OP ANIMALS 


“ I am going away. You don’t love me 
and you don’t love anybody. I’m going to 
find papa and mamma, for they love me and 
will love Kummuge to. You needent ter 
come after me for you won’t find me. I love 
Uncle Benier. Papa will pay you for the 
bread and meat I took and I’ve got my 
dollar he gave me before he went away. 

Madge.'’^ 

Noiselessly slipping the bolt she stepped 
out into the pitchy night. Once outside 
she seemed to breathe freer, and, sitting upon 
the doorstep, drew on her shoes which, 
until now, she had carried in her hands. 
Happily, they were stout little shoes, and 
would serve to keep the small feet dry, for, 
although the wind had ceased blowing, a 
drizzling rain was falling, and the October 
night was damp and cold. Scarcely had 
she gotten the shoes on when there was the 
sound of pattering feet, and with a low 
176 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 

whine little Curmudge cast himself at her 
feet. 

‘^Good Curmudge! Good doggie! Hush, 
don’t make any noise, and we’ll soon be 
away from this dreadful place.” She then 
placed a string around his neck and lifting 
up her satchel, set off at a brisk pace with 
the dog trotting beside her. 


177 


PART II 


THE RESCUED PROVES A RESCUER 

D ark though the night, Madge was 
undaunted, and laid her plans with 
the shrewdness which only the training 
of the past two years could have developed. 
It is a pitiful thing to find a little child 
forced to deceit through fear of ill-treat- 
ment, and may the good Lord forgive those 
who can be held responsible for such a con- 
dition. They have desecrated the “ holy of 
holies.” 

Instead of going toward Barnstable, she 
turned her steps toward East Sandwich, 
where she was quite unknown. It was a 
long walk, but she was a brave little body 
and plodded along in the dark with never a 
thought of fear. What would have been 
178 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


the mother’s feelings could she even have 
guessed at the child’s situation at that mo- 
ment? I will leave that question for some 
mother to answer. 

Just as the clock struck twelve, little 
Madge, who never before in all her short 
life had been out of her bed at such an hour, 
came to the deserted railway station. Not 
a soul was in sight, and the door of the sta- 
tion was securely fastened. Madge was not 
discouraged, but walked to the end of the 
platform and there found a small out-build- 
ing in which the men employed about the 
station kept their tools. The door was 
partly open, and in Madge walked. A pile 
of bagging in one corner offered an inviting 
resting-place to a tired little girl and an 
equally tired little dog, and five minutes 
later she was fast asleep with her Curmudge 
held tightly in her arms. The shriek of an up 
train wakened her at dawn, but she did not 
stir from her hiding-place. East Sandwich 
179 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 

is not a particularly lively place, and no one 
was at the station for that early train. Two 
hours later the Boston local train would 
come along, but Madge did not know a Bos- 
ton local train from any other, and her sole 
desire had been to get to some train and go 
somewhere; anywhere away from Aunt 
Lucinda^s scolding. So when she went into 
the station and laid one of her twenty-five- 
cent pieces on the ticket-master’s shelf, he, 
supposing her to be one of the children go- 
ing into Sandwich to school, or on an 
errand, gave her a ticket for that place and 
some change into the bargain. Madge’s 
idea regarding the value of money was as 
vague as her idea of trains, so putting her 
ticket and change in her satchel, she went 
out on the platform. As she did so some 
signals at the end of the station changed 
their position and a moment later a sharp 
whistling of “down brakes” caused the 
station master and half a dozen loungers 
180 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


who stood about, to run to the end of the 
platform, crying as they did so : Some- 
thing wrong up ahead, Bill, or the express 
wouldn’t be held up here.” The great 
snorting, panting engine drew up to the 
station as the conductor went on to ascer- 
tain why his train had been signaled to 
stop. 

No one had time to notice the child and 
her yellow dog, and poor, trusting Madge 
stepped aboard. A moment later whatever 
had been wrong was righted and our in- 
trepid little traveler was speeding away 
from East Sandwich. Presently the con- 
ductor came through the train, and seeing 
Madge, stopped in amazement. He was a 
good-natured, elderly man who had children 
and grandchildren of his own, and for their 
sakes had warm spot in his heart for all 
little people. 

“ Hullo, little lady, when did you come 
aboard? and where are you going?” 

181 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


I’m going to see papa and mamma,” re- 
plied Madge. 

And who may ^ papa and mamma ’ be, 
and where do they live? ” 

They are Mr. and Mrs. Harding, and 
they live near Boston.” 

“ But you were not on this train when we 
left Barnstable.” 

“No, I got on at East Sandwich.” 

“ At East Sandwich ! ” in surprise; “ let 
me see your ticket, little missie.” 

Madge produced her ticket and the con- 
ductor looked dumfounded. 

“ Who gave you this ticket and who put 
you aboard this train, little one? ” 

“ No one; I put myself aboard because I 
want to see papa and mamma so badly, and 
Aunt Lucinda scolded me so much and said 
I couldn’t have Curmudge, and so I came, 
and please don’t send me back, for I must 
see mamma,” plead poor Madge, almost in 
tears. 


182 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


Suspecting that something was seriously 
wrong, the conductor drew her upon one 
knee and taking Curmudge upon the other 
said : 

Now, dearie, tell me all about it,” and 
soon had the whole pathetic little his- 
tory. 

“Well, I’ll be hanged!” was all he 
said. 

Meantime, Curmudge had made up his 
mind that all was as it should be, and pro- 
ceeded to demonstrate his approval by try- 
ing to lick the conductor’s face, 

“ Here, old chap, do that by proxy, will 
you, and let your missie represent you,” 
cried the conductor, laughing. “ Now, 
little lass, don’t you worry, but stay right 
here all snug and eat your breakfast, you 
and your pet, and when we get to Boston 
we’ll see about finding papa and mamma.” 

Madge opened her satchel to take out her 
breakfast and as she did so a slip of paper 
183 


STORIES OF ANIMALS 


fell to the floor. The conductor picked it 
up and upon it read : Mrs. B. F. Harding, 
27 St., Somerville, Mass.” 

Good ! ” he cried, “ now we know just 
where to send you,” little dreaming that for 
two years the house had held no occupant; 
for Madge had been too young to realize 
that the old home was no longer hers, and 
her aunt had never taken the trouble to en- 
lighten her. 

Boston was reached in due time, and, 
placing her in the care of one of the em- 
ployees of the station who was about to 
return to his home in Somerville after his 
night duties, the kind conductor bade her 
not forget him and said good-by. 

Off went Madge with her new guide and 
soon reached Somerville. 

I don’t see what ails Curmudge,” she 
said as they were walking along, and the 
dog was tugging at his leader with might 
and main. 


184 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 

‘‘ Acts as if he knew the way home,” re- 
plied the young man, laughing. 

“No; he has never been here before. He 
came here from Barnstable.” 

“ Perhaps he has friends here and would 
like to visit them.” 

Madge looked up with a puzzled expres- 
sion, but before she could say anything, her 
escort stopped at the corner of the street, 
and pointing down it to a certain house, 
said : 

“ Do you see that white house down 

there? ThaPs yours; can ” but before 

he could finish, she cried : 

“ Oh ! I know it ! I know it ! IPs home. 
Thank you ever so much,” and dashed off 
with Curmudge bounding beside her. 

Poor little trusting soul ! she reached the 
house only to find it bare and deserted, with 
no sign of living being. She passed through 
the gate and up the front steps. A pull at 
the bell produced the desolate sound a bell 
185 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


makes in an empty house. She waited and 
then walked around to the back of the 
house, but there all was equally deserted. 

Oh ! Curmudge, Curmudge, what shall 
I do? What shall I do? Papa and mamma 
don’t live here any more,” and burying her 
face in the dog’s shaggy coat she sobbed as 
though her heart would break. 

Curmudge whined and licked her cheek, 
and tried to comfort her in his dog way. 
After a little the sobs ceased, but she was 
utterly dumb with despair. “ But I’m glad 
we came away. I am glad, and we’ll never 
go back, Curmudge; no, not if we die.” 

Curmudge seemed to agree, but evinced a 
disposition to explore a little on his own ac- 
count. Madge had let his string drop, and, 
finding himself free, he ran toward the front 
gate and then ran back to her; the while 
barking as though he had something to tell 
her. 

What is the matter, Curmudge? What 
186 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


do you want to do? You don’t know any- 
body bere,” she said wearily. But Cur- 
mudge evidently knew a thing or two. 

I’m so tired I don’t believe I can come, 
but I’ll try,” said Madge, and she arose to 
follow her pet. 

Curmudge was beside himself. He 
pranced and capered and spun around like 
a wild thing. Tugging at his string, he 
dragged the weary child along, through 
street after street, till at least he reached the 
business portion of the town. A block or so 
down this brought him to a low building, 
over the door of which was a sign bearing 
the name, G. F. Roberts, Real Estate. The 
door was not tightly latched, and bounding 
against it with a joyous bark, Curmudge 
jerked his string from Madge’s grasp, and 
dashed into the office just as a lady’s voice 
was heard to say : 

How glad I am, Mr. Roberts, that we 
can get our old house back again. I was so 
187 


STOKIES OF ANIMALS 


afraid we would not be able to, having ar- 
rived so unexpectedly. We only reached 

Boston last night, and ’’ Her sentence 

was interrupted by Curmudge, who tore 
across the room, and jumping upon Mr. 
Koberts^ lap, began to lick his face and 
whine like an insane thing. 

^^Why, Dandy! Dandy Koberts, where 
in this world did you come from? We never 
expected to set eyes on you again ! ” But 
ere “ Dandy Koberts ” could give a satis- 
factory account of himself, a cry from the 
lady caused Mr. Roberts to spring to his 
feet. 

Madge ! My darling, my darling ! How 
came you here? ” and a moment later poor, 
weary little Madge was sobbing in her 
mothers arms. 

“ Oh, mamma, mamma ! I’m so glad I 
found you! Curmudge did it! Curmudge 
did it! If it hadn’t been for him I’d never 
have known where you were.” 

188 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


Who is ‘ Curmudge/ my pet? 

He is/’ pointing to the little terrier, who 
was now standing in the middle of the floor 
looking with his questioning, intelligent 
eyes from one to the other, as though trying 
to learn what he had done. 

When explanations were made it was 
learned that Curmudge, whose real name 
was Dandy, had belonged to Mr. Roberts 
from puppyhood. During the previous 
summer, while they were spending the 
season at Yarmouth, on Cape Cod, he had 
been stolen, and they had never seen sign of 
him till he dashed into the office, to wffiich 
he led his rescuer, little Madge, and had 
himself assumed the character of rescuer. 

It seemed as though Madge’s guardian 
angel must have cared for her and brought 
her safely to the one place in the world 
where her mother’s arms were ready to re- 
ceive her. Mr. and Mrs. Harding had re- 
turned a month earlier than they had ex- 
189 


STORIES OP ANIMALS 


pected to, and although they had written 
the joyful tidings to Mrs. Moseby, she had 
pot seen fit to enlighten Madge. Had she 
done so she might have saved herself the 
torture she experienced when she awakened 
to find Madge gone, and all traces of her 
vanished like the morning dew. 

The commotion which ensued upon the 
discovery can better be imagined than de- 
scribed. Now that a serious calamity had 
come upon her, Mrs. Moseby was almost de- 
mented, and rushed about looking into all 
sorts of impossible places and calling 
Madge’s name incessantly. But, of course, 
her search was unavailing ; Madge and Cur- 
mudge had disappeared as completely as 
though the earth had opened and swallowed 
them up. As the day drew to its close, and 
still no tidings came, Mrs. Moseby lapsed 
into a frame of mind which would have 
been pathetic had she not merited all the 
anxiety she was experiencing, and the un- 
190 


STOKIES OP ANIMALS 


lovable and unloving woman was now reap- 
ing the harvest she had sown. Poor Uncle 
Beniah’s grief was truly pathetic to wit- 
ness. With tears rolling down his cheeks 
he searched and scoured the entire neigh- 
borhood; again and again returning to the 
house to vent his righteous wrath upon his 
miserable wife, who, miracle of miracles, 
made no reply. It was not until the follow- 
ing morning that a telegram relieved their 
anxiety, and, to her dying day, Lucinda 
Moseby remembered the torture of those 
twenty-four hours. 

Meanwhile, at Somerville, Madge was as 
happy as a little queen. In less than an 
hour after Mrs. Harding had found Madge 
electricity had carried the news to Mr. 
Harding in Boston, and as fast as trolley 
cars could take him, he had ridden to Som- 
erville to learn the wonderful news. 

A week later they were once more estab- 
lished in their home, and Curmudge with 
191 


STOKIES OF ANIMALS 


them. Mr. Koberts had brought him, and 
placing him in Madge^s arms, said : “ There^ 
my little girl, he belongs to you more than 
he does to me. While I would not have ac- 
cepted a hundred dollars for him last sum- 
mer, I now gladly give him to his little 
rescuer, since, when the opportunity was 
afforded him, he repaid his obligation by 
rescuing her.” 

To say that the di»g lives in the lap of 
luxury ” but feebly conveys an idea of Cur- 
mudge’s present surroundings. A hand- 
some collar with the name “ Dandy Cur- 
mudge,” engraved on the plate, adds greatly 
to his appearance, and upon him is lavished 
the suppressed and stifled love of the last 
two miserable years; for, as his little mis- 
tress expresses it: ‘‘Now I have my papa 
and mamma to love me, and they let me 
love and pet Curmudge all I want to.” 


192 


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